Matters of the Heart
A few days ago, I arrived home from a relaxing vacation. After settling on the couch, I thought, “It’s so nice to be home.” Don’t get me wrong, my vacation was absolutely wonderful and much needed, but there’s something comforting about coming home.
“Home is where the heart is.” This phrase is used frequently in our culture. It conveys that “home” is not necessarily a building. Home is about the people and things we value most. Our heart is invested in and attached to whatever we deem valuable in our lives.
I consider myself a hard worker. For just shy of five years, I worked for the March of Dimes. Countless hours were invested in my work. I wanted to be successful and advance my career, so I poured much of myself into it. As a result, several other things I valued in my life took a back seat.
In 2016, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Although I live in Nashville, the rest of my family resides in the Northeast. My childhood home is in Harrisburg, PA. After moving to Tennessee, I hadn't gone home frequently. That was until my mom got sick.
My family is one of the absolute most important things in my life. Yet, my time and effort, my heart, was being invested in something insignificant by comparison. I could have found another job. I only have one family. I only had one mom.
I went home as often as I could. My work was flexible and allowed me to work remotely. There were hours spent in the hospital when I didn’t work at all. Instead, I focused on making my mom laugh. As a family, we built memories that cannot be replaced.
Soon, I realized the world didn’t burn down when I held off on responding to an email. The work was still there and I was still working hard. I didn’t become unsuccessful because I prioritized time with my family over time on my career.
Throughout the pandemic, thousands of people lost their jobs. They lost their homes. They lost loved ones. Only one of those losses is irreplaceable. I know. I will never be able to replace my mom.
Before my mother passed away, I started a new job at the company where I’m currently employed. I am very passionate about my work and I spend a lot of time working hard to be successful. But it is not my top priority in life.
“Home is where the heart is.” Home is the people and things we cherish most. It’s what we prioritize in our lives. It’s where we invest our time and effort. Home is where we invest our hearts.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
Extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching are recorded throughout the Gospel of Matthew. A primary theme of Jesus' teaching during the Sermon on the Mount is God’s concern for the hearts of His people. Chapter 6 is the second of three containing Matthew's telling of the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:19–21, Jesus addresses the issue of earthly belongings and the hearts of His listeners. Material possessions are temporary. Jesus emphasizes the danger of prioritizing material things over "treasures" in heaven.
I treasure my loved ones, my family and friends. I treasure my character and identity. I treasure my relationship with Christ. A relationship that is the only treasure that will never pass away. It’s also a treasure that offers an everlasting home if I invest my heart in the right place.