Hunting for Treasure

The other day I went on one of my favorite pastimes: Hunting for hidden treasures in others’ garages. I guess I should appease my fellow Guatemalans and explain: No, I haven’t gone down the deep end and turned into a thief. I said “hidden” not “forbidden” treasure. I don’t tip-toe into people’s properties with a black mask, a large bag and a flashlight, at the wee hours of the night. The economy isn’t that bad.

What I’m referring to is the fine art of garage saling.

To those of you unfamiliar with the joys, allow me to explain that garage saling simply consists of purchasing gently used – and sometimes even new – items people no longer want or need, which are displayed for sale in their garages or front lawns.

The serious garage salers (like my mom) get up at the crack of dawn and, with a hot cup of coffee and lots of change in their pockets, eagerly scan the classified column of their Friday and Saturday local newspapers and skillfully map out their route before setting out on their adventures. Others simply drive around different neighborhoods (the ritzier the better, with lots of impulse buyers eager to rid their overstuffed closets of “junk”) looking for the bright-colored signs with an arrow that marks the way and the two little words that make their hearts gallop with anticipation: “Garage Sale”.

Antique dealers with a trained eye for valuables, conscientious moms with large families to clothe, contractors looking for tools, newly-weds in need of furniture, and shopaholics – all kinds of people cruise around town looking for deals.

Last Saturday, as I set out on my own expedition, I came across a familiar object – an elegant crystal candleholder supported on three curved bronze legs. I had to chuckle, since years ago, I had gone through great lengths to get one exactly like that.

My neighbor had started a new business selling candles and had asked me to host a party for her. I wasn’t too keen on the idea, but when she showed me the product catalog, I fell in love with this crystal candleholder. So beautiful, and it would compliment my then bare coffee table perfectly. I had to have it.

Having recently moved to Arizona, I knew few people, but I unashamedly invited them to my party, bribing them with the promise of tasty snacks and free babysitting. For a week, I bit my lower lip often and prayed somebody would show up. I deep-cleaned my house. Thank God, they showed up. They heard my neighbor’s presentation. They shopped. They ate. They left. I cleaned house again. I was exhausted.

But I got my candleholder for half price, “only” 25 bucks. Mission accomplished.

I couldn’t wait for the postman to come knocking on my door, heralding the arrival of my precious package! When the happy day came, I opened the box with a flurry of excitement, but – oh, no! There must have been a mistake! The picture on the catalog showed a much bigger candleholder – one that would beautifully cover the better half of my coffee table. But what I held in my trembling hands would barely cover a fourth of an end table!

Back at the garage sale, as I stood in front of the items scattered around the driveway, I shook my head looking at the very same crystal item I once coveted; the one I had worked so hard to get; the one I paid way more than I usually would’ve; the one that now sits almost forgotten on a bookshelf. And I wondered about the many things – like this candleholder – to which I have devoted so much of my time and energy, only to get meager returns.

Jesus warned his disciples, “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.” (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)

Where my treasure is, there my heart will be… Perhaps this is a good time I take a good look at my heart and take inventory of what treasure-seeking endeavors I’m investing my resources into. Perhaps it’s time I start hunting for the type of treasure that beats the greatest garage sale find ever, the kind that never disappoints, that never looses value and that can never be taken from me.

Dear friend, where is your treasure?