During my rumination on God’s word and teachings today I had an interesting conviction come to mind. For many years I have toted when my children do something out of faith, or that I’ve taught comes from faith. When a child gives all their money to the poor beggar on the side of the road. A child praying over someone in need on the street. Sharing some words about Jesus with someone who is sad, outside of church. These things I have done, even sharing on social media. Yet, how many times has the Lord shown through his words that a man or woman of faith should treasure these things in their heart. It wasn’t until I thought on these things that I realized the heart that truly abides and finds meaning solely in the Lord our God would treasure these things in their heart rather than share with the world

In some, or most, cases I would say the idea of sharing had two purposes. There was one that was conscious and one that was subconscious. The conscious thought was that I wanted to share with others the blessing I got to see in my kids. This seems innocent enough. The subconscious thought was what my flesh really was doing, validating and asking for validation. At the same time my own flesh was affecting my thoughts, it was taking the blessings away from my kids. Matthew records the words of Jesus about a similar point, “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you… Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” Matthew 6:2. So by trumpeting the good works my kids do I am potentially affecting their reward in heaven. I also think on this point and realize what I’m teaching my kids. When I speak about their works, I put the work as important, and not the heart behind it. 

Perhaps it’s for these reasons Mary, Jesus’ mother, “... treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:29. Then again in Luke 3:51 Mary, “treasured all these things in her heart.” The second time was after they couldn’t find Jesus and he was found in the temple teaching about his Father. 

These can even be seen by Jesus himself when he healed lepers and the sick, telling them to tell no one of what he did, but to follow the requirements of the law upon being cleansed. 

Why would Luke focus on these? If the Bible is inspired fully by the Lord, the Spirit, then there was a reason the Spirit gave Luke the knowledge of how Mary felt and what she did, as she obviously didn’t share with others at the time. 

Can we learn something through Mary and Jesus in the book of Luke? I believe that when we bless others, or when our children so wonderful signs of faith or works, that we can focus in our mind on the one who has caused all the change, Jesus the Savior. Instead of sharing with Aunt Estus or Uncle Rico we can take it to the Lord, cherish the heart our child has and thank the Lord that you see signs he is working in their lives. I believe you will find a deeper level of faith and justification from the Lord, than you will ever receive from others in social media or at church. May your journey of abiding in the Lord be blessed this week.