As I parked my car, I noticed some people walking out of the Commissary with treasure under their arms. No, it was not a chest full of Pirate’s gold or bags full of cash. It was cotton treasure made of thin white paper in the form of paper rolls. At this seeming opportunity, I hustled inside, hoping beyond hope that they were in stock. As I rounded the corner, I looked down the aisle and jubilantly discovered what other Commissary Treasure Explorers had sought. There, upon the third shelf from the bottom, sat two wonderful bags of toilet paper.
However, my joy was fleeting. For joy quickly turned to indignation at the sight of a woman grabbing both bags. In my righteous anger I marched toward this woman. I pondered all the words I could possibly say to her to remind her of her responsibility to our community to do what was fair.
She then did something that moved me from indignation to pride and caused a little bit of shame for my snap judgment. Instead of hoarding the two bags for herself, she turned to an elderly woman next to her and shared this precious bag of toilet paper. In the grand scheme of things, this was a very small act of kindness that perhaps may not even be remembered. However, in our day, we need more of these small acts of extraordinary kindness to remind us who we ought to be.
Scripture has much to teach us about trials and tribulations. Many of the Saints who have gone before us have faced innumerable trials. 1 Peter 4:12-13 reminds us:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”
Suffering and trials are part of our world and part of our faith. For the believer, these trials are a test of our character and how we face life knowing that we have a God who is in control. Jesus kept His eyes on God even when enduring the shame of the cross. In the same spirit, may we keep our eyes on God and live with such a character that is full of love and grace as we endure this challenging time together. As we do so, we shall become the true treasure of Christ’s love in this world.