Matthew 6:19-21

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

I’ve read this verse countless times over the course of my lifetime. I always included loved ones in the treasures I wanted to see in Heaven; but recent events have altered my view point to some extent.
I’ve realized that there can be a conflict with one of God’s overriding principles – He lets people make their own choices, and He ussually lets them live with the consequences of those choices. I pray for my loved ones who are in rebellion against God. Indeed, I pray fervently and frequently; but I am aware that God will lovingly give them the same choices that He lovingly gives to us. The consequences may be positive or negative, depending on our choices; and sometimes in His mercy and grace He chooses to intervene and give us blessings as well as many opportunities to alter our life course instead of what we really deserve. I sometimes struggle with that – I am not as patient or as loving as my Abba Daddy God. I want loved ones to make choices that will bring them into fellowship with God and a deeper fellowship with us. I long for it, yet it is not my choice to make. I have to keep reminding myselves that God is far more loving than I am, so I must trust Him to know and do what is best for my loved ones even when it appears to be very different from what I am seeing happen in their lives.