Give it Away

for Keith and Hannah, whose legacy stretches across the world.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

I made my way to the hospital
To give him your gift today,
Not knowing he would give to me
The tale of how you gave your life away.

To save his little girl,
To give her a tomorrow.
To feed a village of widows,
To comfort them in sorrow.

I feel unworthy to have
Such givers in my life,
Whose love is so extravagant
Mine seems small in size.

How is it I am so honored?
To help me face tomorrow,
You chose to give to me as well
And comfort me in sorrow.

We rejoice with great joy,
The ones your giving grew
And made the richer still
Because we knew you.

You gave your life away,
Knew it was not your own,
But His, who gave it first;
Now, you are Home.

We will persevere
And live life like you did,
Knowing it’s not ours;
In Him our life is hid.

Generosity is rare today,
The kind that seeks not self,
The kind that gives it all,
Because of Greater Wealth.

Heaven’s streets are paved with gold,
Pearls adorn the gates,
Because of those like you on earth
Who gave it all away.

I’m storing treasure that won’t fade,
Nor moth nor rust destroy,
Giving it all away down here
For never fading joy.

I miss you today, your gentle tone,
Quietly serving others
Without fanfare or attention,
Helping daughters, sons, and mothers.

But as I gave the gift away
And heard the unfading story,
I’m sure that you were there with us,
Rejoicing in His glory.

I will do my best
With all the time that’s left
To give like you did, in His name,
Without a thought to self.

by Audrey Frank

Lord, help me store up treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, thieves do not break in and steal. Help me give my life away in Your name. Amen.

@audreycfrank

Photo by Noam Jordan on Unsplash