Marriage is full of hidden treasures. If you become a treasure hunter you will see that the person you married, even in the midst of their flaws, also has high value and beauty. Let me tell you a true treasure story.
On a rainy Saturday in September 1985, a British antique dealer set out to use his new metal detector searching an ancient site near the cow fields that surround Middleham Castle. This castle, now in ruins, was once the home of Richard III. Many treasure-seekers had raked over these grounds before, occasionally finding Georgian pennies and a few gold rings. After searching for eight hours, it was becoming too dark to continue. Heading back to his car with his metal detector still switched on, he heard the detector’s welcome “bleep”. Digging approximately 10 inches into the dirt he unearthed a two and half inch piece of metal which he thought was a lady’s powder compact, common in the 1940’s. Returning home his wife emptied the contents of his bag and began cleaning the “compact”. To their surprise they discovered this item was in fact a highly detailed, gold, diamond-shaped gothic reliquary pendant embedded with an enormous sapphire. Later the pendant was determined to be an extremely rare piece of 15th Century English jewelry, never before seen.
The front of the pendant is engraved with the Trinity with a Sapphire representing a piece of heaven. Along one of the borders it contains a Latin inscription, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us”. The back is engraved with a Nativity scene. The pendant sold for over a million dollars.
I love this story and share it with you as it mirrors a hidden truth; valuable items are often lost and then finally discovered. Deep down in each person lies treasure waiting to be found. Like the discovery of the Middleham jewel, many have traversed over the surface of unassuming lives, missing the jewels that lie buried there. Marriage is the perfect place to become a treasure-hunter, mining the buried treasure in your spouse, helping to reveal in each person a deposit of the glory of God. “The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession”. Deuteronomy 7:6
3 WAYS TO FIND TREASURE IN YOUR SPOUSE
- Have a vision
When I lived in the Philippines treasure hunters came from around the globe in hopes to find Yamashita’s gold. They spent their life savings as they had a vision of bars of gold and other treasures that had been stolen during the war. These treasure hunters had detailed maps and had high hopes these maps would lead them to treasure. Like a persistent treasure hunter, believe your spouse has infinite and unconditional worth. “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3 Be assured that what is happening externally in their lives does not diminish or add worth to who they are.
- See and treasure the high value deposited in your spouse
Value your marriage as one containing high worth. Cherish and protect it like you would a precious gem. Give it the time it deserves. Daily appreciate your spouse by telling them how important they are to you.
- Avoid the negative trap
Avoid seeing only the negative in your spouse and disqualifying the positive. Catch your spouse doing something right and tell them so.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-45
My husband and I have been married for over 15 years now. We have learned through times of difficulties to be less selfish and more loving. We have committed all of our resources to having a successful marriage. We affirm each other daily and reap the rewards of happiness and fulfillment that money cannot buy.
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