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My granddaughter and I watched from the bleachers while her brother took his swimming lesson.

As an active five-year-old, she used the bleachers and nearby railing as her jungle gym—up and down and all around. At one point, she stood behind me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Then, poised to return to her routine, she patted me on the head. And that’s when she discovered the bumps under her Oma’s hair.

Sebaceous cysts under the skin on my scalp have developed over the years, but they aren’t dangerous. Not expecting them, they startled her. With artful hair arrangement, the cysts stay hidden most of the time. My granddaughter leaned down and looked into my face with wide-open eyes.

“You’ve found my lumps,” I said.

She nodded, and I gave her a brief explanation. She asked if they hurt.

“Only if someone hits them,” I replied.

Satisfied with the information, she went back to her play.

Having a certain amount of vanity, I’m grateful my hair covers these disfigurements. But I’m not always so successful with the flaws that erupt from my heart. An unkind comment to my husband, a demeaning opinion expressed about politicians, a swear word, or any verbal ugliness I can’t hide so easily. And then there’s the keyboard that connects my fingers to the internet and social media, where I could wreak all kinds of havoc.

In those moments, I remember what Jesus cautioned. I should tuck His gems of grace and love into my heart’s treasury. His Word provides these jewels for us with abundance. Equipped with generous wealth, I do not need to keep them hidden.

What gems are you gathering into your treasure chest?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and screechand.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)