I’ve been thinking about what I would miss if my house was burned to the ground or bombed like so many poor people in LA and in Gaza. I couldn’t think of any object, only my precious family and my dog. What about you?

Maybe because my bad health has narrowed down the things I can do and the things I have, I hold tighter to my family and give thanks for them every day. Things break and fade, but people can be held in your heart forever.

I read Jesus’ teaching about that very issue this morning: ‘Matthew 6:19-21 NIV says
[19]  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So don’t fret about your granny’s china or your original artwork, because these will ultimately disappear. Focus on the true values that will never leave you. I say that as if it’s an easy thing to do, but I am not travelling to Gaza to see the rubble that was my home.

Again, we can easily count our blessings. For those that have lost everything, it’s not so straightforward. So next time you get annoyed about a broken item, remember those who are living without and be humbly grateful.