“What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when we speak of treasure?” I asked my family as we were all settled on our grey upholstered couch in our living room. Lately, Family Devotion has become a weekly tradition for us—a time when we set aside all our tasks as dusk hits home. Ideally, we start at 8 o’clock in the evening, giving ourselves about an hour for meaningful family conversation.
The commander-in-chief of the family didn’t hesitate and answered right away, “Gold!” And why not? Gold is durable, noncorrosive, malleable, and rare. It’s also a great hedge against inflation. Unlike other metals, it doesn’t tarnish, and it’s been used for centuries in everything from medical tools to electronics to dentistry. But I think my husband chose gold for another reason too—because deep down, as a man, he sees himself first and foremost as the provider for our family.
“Gift,” my eldest daughter raised. Hale has always been someone who loves giving to others. I remember one time at an Asian store—she picked out anime gifts for a few of her closest friends, and with the little money she had left, she bought a tiny toy for Chantry. She didn’t save anything for herself. To her, a gift isn’t just an item—it’s a treasure, something of great value that’s meant to be shared. That’s why she cherishes friendship and relationships so deeply. And when she gives, it’s not just about the gift itself, but about how much she values the person receiving it.
Before I gave my answer, I decided to let the youngest in our family, Chantry, answer first. Honestly, I was bracing for her to say something like “toys,” “Robux” (that Roblox currency she’s always after), or maybe even “Brainrot” (yep, also a Roblox thing). Those are usually the things she asks me for! But to my surprise, when she was asked what comes to mind when she hears the word treasure, she calmly replied, “Life.”
We did not just look at her but we all turned our heads to her upon hearing a priceless answer from a ten-year old child. “Woah,” we all chimed in chorus, and gave her a round of applause. Seriously, why didn’t any of us think of that? We cheered, gave her pats on the back, and marveled at her innocent yet profound answer. Judging by her wide eyes and smile, I bet she was just as surprised by our reaction as we were by her words!
Life is a miracle. Life is a gift. Life is gold. Life is a treasure beyond measure. No amount of wealth can equal its worth. Even if a billion dollars were offered to someone grieving the loss of a loved one, they would choose life over riches without hesitation. For in the heart that truly loves, no fortune—neither billions nor trillions—can ever replace the priceless gift of life.
After we cheered on Chantry’s answer, it was my turn to give my response. For me, the first thing that came to my mind when we spoke of treasure was “Family.”
Now, don’t think I copied Chantry’s style! I thought of this even before I heard her. Of course, she’s my child. From whom would she even inherit such wisdom! Haha!
Kidding aside, I have to say—life with my family is a treasure. Like every family, we’re not perfect. We’ve had our share of tears and sad stories. But here’s something my kids are always proud of: they’re proud to belong to a family that sticks together and grows stronger through it all. They’ve seen parents who chose to stay together because of an unconditional love that no imperfection could alter. For them, life without either one of us is unimaginable. We’re a family of four, and that has given life such a deeper meaning—we’ve come to see that life with family is worth far more than gold. Each of our lives is a gift, anchored in this family and firmly rooted in the love and teachings of Jesus.
BIBLE VERSE
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)