2023-14 Hidden Treasure

What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word treasure? A map where “X” marks the spot? A pirate with a thick long black beard? A chest full of gold and gems? Or maybe even one of your own prized possessions…  What do you treasure? I know that for me back in the day I treasured my baseball card collection, my Boy Scout personal radio that I won from selling candy bars as a Cub Scout in the Teton Peaks Council, and my first mountain bike when I was 12 years old.  Naturally the items that I treasured throughout my life have changed. Now my treasures are not necessarily things, but mostly include people, experiences, and memories. Take some time tonight and reflect on what you treasure.

There is a well-known story of an old farmer who called his three idle sons around him while on his deathbed to impart to them an important secret.

“My sons, a great treasure lies hidden in the estate which I am about to leave you," the old man gasped. "Where is it hidden?" exclaimed the sons.

“I am about to tell you”, said the old man; "you will have to dig for it."

But his breath failed him before he could impart the weighty secret; and he died. Forthwith the sons set to work with spade and mattock upon the long-neglected fields, and they turned over every sod and clod upon the estate.

They discovered no treasure, but they learned to work; and when the fields were sown, and the harvest came, lo! The yield was prodigious, because of the thorough tillage which the fields had undergone. It was then that they discovered the treasure concealed in the estate, which their wise old father had advised them.