Treasure

 Luke 12:32-40

Where is your treasure? Maybe what do you treasure? These are good self examination questions. I keep going back to the vacation bible school where we played spy kids and only concentrated on a treasure a day.

The pearl of greatest price wasn't a pearl at all. It was about the treasure of relationship. Of finding friends and family and how sometimes we search for connection with one another. A growing emotional deficit is loneliness, not just here, but worldwide. The author Brent Brown in her sermon at Washington National Cathedral calls it an epidemic and one that can kill. 

Many countries have taken steps to combat loneliness realizing it is a health crisis. The build communities of mixed ages where the young people help with gardens and the older people take care of children during the day. There are community dinners and game nights. These actions benefit the whole community older and younger.

Vermont has a program where young people can pay a modest rent and live with an older adult in exchange for help around the house. Rents have gotten so out of control it is one of the only ways a younger person can afford rent. The older person benefits from having the young person not only to help but to talk to. To make dinners with and have a mini community.

In th community of Bridgton during its community development survey found there is growing loneliness and isolation among the residents here. This is something we need to keep in mind when we develop ministries for and to the town. There are growing needs around transportation because of a system based on one person running the hub and retiring and no one knowing how to fill those shoes. This also leads to isolation not only for doctors appointments but for getting to events at the community center. 

This is something people can do something about whether it is in helping to create supportive communities in a cluster or in matching seniors with young people. This all helps combat loneliness and gives purpose to aging seniors. Relationships are a treasure of the kingdom of heaven. Who are you connecting with?