Treasure Hunt!
A summer reflection challenge
Hello! It’s been a couple of months, and I’m glad to be back with you! Today, I have a challenge for you as you join me on a treasure hunt.
Summer reflection challenge
What came to mind when you read the title “Treasure Hunt”?
- Wooden boxes of gold coins?
- Old treasure maps?
- Dotted lines?
- X marks the spot?
- Pirates?!
Maybe all of that. Well hold that thought, but prepare for a different application.
I don’t know about you, but my summer flew by. A few days ago, I purposefully hit “pause” and acknowledged some treasured moments. I didn’t want the busy-ness of life to cause forgetfulness or oblivion. I bet you have a few treasures that have buried themselves in your not-so-lazy days of summer, too.
The challenge (should you choose to accept it…and I hope you do!) is to find your “nuggets of gold” and link Bible verses that make them gleam even brighter. I will use my summer as an example, but I hope you will share a treasure or two of your own in the comments.
(Note: Even if you had a difficult summer—more tears than smiles—try to find at least one treasured moment and a verse that reminds you of God’s goodness. The time of searching may be a shining moment of intimacy with your Lord…a treasure in itself.)
Let the treasure hunt begin!
If you wish, envision a treasure map in your mind of your summer adventures—treasure chests, dotted lines, and red x’s included.
Then “dig” through the circumstances until you find the treasure and choose a verse that makes the treasure even more special.
Example 1: The Hill Family Reunion
Context: My husband, Johnny, is one of eight children. Though his dad has passed, his mom and the three generations that follow still meet each year in June for a family reunion. This year, we gathered in Fredericksburg, Texas, for outdoor breakfasts on the hotel patio, leisurely walks along Main Street, cool dips in the pool, and an evening barbecue followed by fireside s’mores. As Johnny prepared to lead the prayer before the barbecue, I silently reminisced about his dad quoting Psalm 139:23–24 at every family gathering the last few years of his life before praying over the meal. With blessed assurance I know that one day we will enjoy fellowship with him around a table again—in the presence of the Lord.
Treasure: Fellowship—both now and in the age to come
Verse: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Rev. 7:9–10)
Example 2: Dog Sitting
Context: Daily health struggles render full-time work and true independence inaccessible for my daughter, Rachel, so she lives with my husband and me. Our summer vacation has been her summer vacation…until this summer. My son and daughter-in-law planned a fun family getaway in Florida and invited us to come along. The trip would have been hard for Rachel, so instead, she volunteered to stay at their home in Houston and care for their dogs. We were not taking another vacation; Rachel willingly gave up her only opportunity for a break so others could enjoy time away.
Treasure: Self-sacrifice
Verse: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3–4)
Example 3: Florida Vacay
Context: After we settled Rachel in Houston, Johnny and I flew to Florida for a few days with the grandkids and their parents. What a joy to see wonder light up their young eyes (and maybe some of our older ones, too) as they stared upward at the rockets of Kennedy Space Center, excitedly explored the many hands-on exhibits at the Orlando Science Center, and pointed and gasped at the dinosaurs and meteor showers at the T-Rex restaurant at Disney Springs. Along the way, Johnny and I gently communicated that man may explore the universe, but God created a universe worth exploring. They won’t knowingly remember all we said, but I pray the truth plants itself deeply in their hearts and minds.
Treasure: Discovery
Verse: “To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” (Is. 40:25–26)
Example 4: The Journey to Connection
Context: Johnny and I wondered if we were in the right place as we entered the church parking lot with a single parked car. The faint edge of unfamiliarity we had tried to subdue suddenly seemed a little sharper. I had not been to this area since I was a child. We made the drive to attend a family reunion…with family members I hardly knew.
Dad had wanted to go to the annual gathering of his grandparents’ descendants held in Belmont, Mississippi—near the beautiful valley where his grandparents’ old stone home still stands. Johnny and I planned the trip, but at the last minute, dad and mom were unable to go. His disappointment after months of anticipation compelled Johnny and me to make the trip with the goal of a few minutes of FaceTime so dad could get a taste of the fellowship from a distance.
So there we sat in an almost empty parking lot.
But not for long. Soon dad’s cousins emerged from the church with open arms and warm embraces. Over the next few hours, we enjoyed food, conversations, treasured photos, family stories, and a guided tour of family land and the church our ancestors founded. Unfamiliarity faded. Connection grew in its place. The theme of faith wove itself throughout the events of the day—a common thread that knit us together more strongly than family ties.
Treasure: Faith
Verse: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15)
Your turn!
I hope this treasure hunt challenged you to think differently about your summer—to pause and link Scripture to events so you could see God’s hand. If so, please share your context, treasure, and verse in the comments below. I would enjoy reading your story!
Until next time, may you recognize the treasures of His blessings!
P.S. If you want to share this challenge with someone, send the link and encourage them to hunt for buried treasure!
©2026 Catherine L Hill. All rights reserved.
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Treasure #1: Navigating Milestones Year One
Context: Last year, unexpectedly, in a moment enjoying a sip of blueberry smoothie, my beloved husband Dan, man of God, father of our two sons, grandfather to our four, Soulmate of mine for 52 years of marriage and 56 years together, died of aspiration pneumonia. Now the summer of “Hard Firsts.” Wedding anniversary May 27 (technically not summer, but still…), Death Date 6/24/25: that date I entered seemingly hundreds of times of hundreds of forms with hundreds of tears, and next up: His birthday, August 23. I have sung the wonderful hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” so many nights (the hardest time). In fact, I have changed the lyric to “moment by moment” new mercies I see. Learning, with God’s help, to look forward to the happy memories as our family celebrates what would have been his 75th birthday.
Treasure: God’s Faithfulness
Verse: “The steadfast love of the Lord never changes, his mercies never come to an end; they are new each morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Bonnie,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful, heartfelt testimony to God’s faithfulness. I know you have had a difficult year, yet here you are, finding treasure in the Lord. Your words remind us all to keep our eyes on Him and not on our circumstances. You are such a blessing, sweet Bonnie. May God continue to reveal His great faithfulness “moment by moment.”