A Girl's Treasure: A Short Story

A Girl’s Treasure

by Lynsi Keye

Once upon a time… in a beautiful garden, sat the most beautiful young woman… If one looked at her through the world’s eyes, you could not say so, for she was not living to satisfy the world’s standard of beauty. Nor was she of or in the world. All who saw her could not help but awe. Such a wonderful creature, living in a wonderful place, and she belonged to one, Jesus.

                Through pain and suffering this girl had saved her treasure, much greater than jewels, pearls, or even diamonds; her heart. Painful it was, to keep her heart whole.

                You see, each heart as a key, and a girl can give that key to whomever she wishes, be it wise or foolish. Those who have the key may use it as they please, be it wise or foolish. A wise girl listens to the instruction of her parents, and to Jesus, but a foolish girl, the instruction of her peers, the world, and her own flesh also known as “the heart.”

                This girl gave her key to her parents, who cared wisely for it, until she came to the right age. At the beginning of her teen years, she struggled, trying to prevent herself from taking the key, and foolishly giving it to some young, charming boy who “loves” her one day, but would dump her the next for someone else.

                Through stress, strain, tears, and much, much prayer, she lasted those years, with her key, and heart safely kept, for she had now given her key to Jesus, whom was to always have it.

                From her gay, happy-go-lucky teen and young adult years, this girl became a woman. In her womanhood, she fell in love, and married, giving her husband the second key, for Jesus would always have the first.

                Still, this stage was hard; marriage is not all diamonds and roses. From sweet young love, this woman matured, and gave birth to children, and came into mother-hood.

                From child-hood, to teen/young adult- hood, to woman-hood, to wife-hood, to mother-hood, keeping a close eye on her heart and key the whole time, yet knowing Jesus would always have her whole heart.

                Mother-hood caused heart-ache, too. Children are wonderful, but it can hurt, and take much energy. With the help from parents, husband, Jesus, and friends, she made it through. Her kids turned out wonderfully, each following her careful instruction to watch their hearts, and be wise with their keys.

                When her kids were gone, she missed them terribly, but she still was joyful, for she still had her husband and Jesus, and she would be able to see her children grow up, and have children of their own.

                Sure enough, she became a grandmother, and what a precious time of life that is. When old, you love young ones, for they remind you of your child-hood, which seems so long ago.

                With each grandchild, the dear old woman carefully warned them to watch the key to their hearts.

                Alas, with each life, comes a death. In this case, it was her parents. This sorrow fell upon her dear heart very hard, for it was them who had taught her to guard her heart, for it is one of the greatest treasures she will ever have. In her sadness, she turned to Jesus, and her husband for comfort. Then with knowledge that she would see them again, in heaven, she continued on with life.

                She helped mentor her grandchildren, and all who God gave her. Much of this deeply touched her soft heart. “Children,” she thought, “need more than just toys; they need the joy of the Lord, and the knowledge of his love for them.” And she did all she could to make sure that every child she met, knew of this love.

                Sadly not everyone listens to wisdom. Many of them took the path o the world, where it seemed fun, gay, and definitely easy for a child of teen years. But as the old woman had warned, this life brought more pain the joy. Again and again these teens got themselves burnt, by sticking their hearts in a fire, just because it looked like the “cool” thing to do. Some finally turned away from that life, but damage had been done, their heart was broken, hard, and filled with hurt.

                Although she was sorry that they made that wrong choice, the woman felt glad she had protected her key, and heart.

                Older and older she grew, and soon her husband made that journey, too. The journey to heaven, to live forever. Now she gave two more keys to Jesus, one of her husbands, and the one of her parents. Through many, many tears, prayers, and fellowship, she lived this one out too. She trusted Jesus, and continued to pour into others. Soon she was filled with joy again, in serving others, and trusting Jesus.

                One day her granddaughter called, in tears, for her favorite actor/singer was dead. This young man had broken as many hearts as he could get his hands on, yet his heart still ached horribly, too. He was famous, and thousands loved him, so it was a shock that he was now dead.

The granddaughter claimed he would be a legend, and everyone would always remember him, but Grandmother warned that just because he was great in the worlds eyes didn’t mean he was great in God’s eyes. She told the young lady that this man, too, would soon be forgotten.

The grandchild laughed, and said that she did not know him, and she should have seen the funeral. Thousands of people had come, and many of them had cried, too.

                But after only a year, the girl saw that her grandmother had been right, the actor/singer had been forgotten, even by herself.

                One day, while sitting by her fire, the old woman, nearly ninety-nine, took out some old picture albums to look at. She gazed at the pictures taken so long ago. Some were taken during the happiest times of her life. There were many of her wedding, and playing with her kids, but her favorite pictures were those when her family went on a mission’s trip to Africa. And her favorite picture of all was the picture of her and her family, with some African orphans, smiling.

                Just then, the beautiful old woman heard a voice, a whisper almost. The words were not audible, but they were calling her home. The woman smiled, and nodded, yes it was time to go. She placed her hand on the picture, and whispered, “God be with you, forever.”

                That was her last breath, for she was taken home, to be united with her loved ones, and meet her beloved savior, Jesus Christ.

                The next morning they found her, sitting on the couch, the fire had gone out, her hand still one the picture, and a smile on her face.

                Though her funeral was not huge, she was and is not forgotten by the ones she served. She was greatly honored as a woman who loved to serve God by serving others. “What you do to the least of these, you do to me,” someone repeated a verse, “and she certainly blessed the least, and may God bless her.” 

                But as generations come and go, so do the memory of great people. It happens to everyone, some are remembered longer than others, some shorter, but if you give your heart and key to Jesus, he will never forget even the smallest act of kindness you showed.

                Now she lives in a perfect world, in a new body, where she and Jesus can forever be together. She is happy; she is home. Yes, that is her. She is the beautiful woman in that beautiful garden. Not once does she regret leaving her first key in the hands of Jesus.

                There are several reasons for this story. One, death is not something to fear, if Jesus in your heart. Two, your joy should be in Jesus, not in this world. Three, just because you’re famous does not mean you will never be forgotten, but if you love Jesus, he will never forget you. Four, the main point, guard your heart, and the key to your heart, for it is a precious treasure, give it to Jesus, because he will always watch over you, and love you. He is perfect.