"Uncle Frank is Dad's uncle, right?" asked Ben as his mom unlocked the safe in Uncle Frank's house and took a stack of yellowed papers from it.
"That's right," said Mom. She set aside one paper.
"This has information the hospital needs for Uncle Frank's records." She put the other papers back in the safe and locked it. Then they left and went to the hospital.
While Mom took care of business in the hospital office, Ben went down the hall to Uncle Frank's room. "Hi, Uncle Frank," he said.
The elderly man raised his head from the pillow. "Uhhh," he muttered, peering closely at Ben. "Oh," he said after a moment. "It's little Jimmy."
Ben shook his head. "No, I'm Ben. Jim is my dad. He's grown up now." Uncle Frank looked puzzled and didn't say anything. Not knowing what else to do, Ben took the bulletin he'd gotten at church that morning from his pocket and held it out. "Um…would you like to look at our church bulletin?"
Uncle Frank took the bulletin and held it close to his face. He began to read the verse printed at the top. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High"--he put the paper down and closed his eyes--"will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." When Mom came into the room a little later, Uncle Frank had just finished reciting all of Psalm 91.
"Uncle Frank didn't remember me. He thought I was Dad," Ben said on the way home. "But he recited a whole chapter of the Bible! How could he remember all that when he didn't even know me?"
"Old age often robs people of memory, but many elderly people can recall hymns and verses long after they forget almost everything else," said Mom. "When you memorize God's Word, you store it in your heart, and it's available when you need it."
"Like Uncle Frank's papers were stored in the safe in his house?" asked Ben.
Mom smiled. "Something like that, only better. A safe in a house can be broken into, but treasures hidden in your heart can never be stolen from you. They're always there to remind you that, no matter what happens to you, God's promises are true and Jesus is always with you."
-Barbara J. Westberg
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you storing treasure in your heart? You can store up great riches by memorizing God’s Word. Think of each Bible verse you learn as a valuable treasure hidden in your heart. Even when you grow old, it will still be there to remind you of Jesus’s love for you and give you comfort and encouragement. Learn today’s Key Verse as a reminder of the importance of knowing God’s Word.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
I have hidden your word in my heart. (NIV)