December 8
The Cost of a
Heart’s Desires
"But God said to him, ‘You foolish man! Tonight I will take your life away from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’"
Luke 12:20 (NIrV)
Sarah stared at the stack of bills on the kitchen table, her head pounding. Red notices. Final warnings. Her bank balance was a joke, and her credit card was maxed out. She had worked hard, but it was never enough.
She sighed and glanced at the framed photo on the counter—her mother, June, smiling at her 80th birthday party. Two years later, she was still going strong. Sarah loved her, of course she did. But an ugly thought had started creeping into her mind lately, one that made her stomach turn.
When Mom dies, I’ll finally be free.
Sarah had never spoken the words aloud, but she couldn't ignore them. Her mother’s will was clear: Sarah would inherit everything. The house. The savings. Enough to wipe away the debt and maybe even take that trip to Greece she had always dreamed of.
She hated herself for thinking it, but the thought kept returning. Some nights, when she lay awake staring into space, she almost wished for it. Just a little more time… but not too much time.
Then one afternoon, it happened.
Sarah was in the kitchen when the phone rang. Her heart lurched when she saw the nursing home’s number. She fumbled to answer.
“Miss Parker? Your mother collapsed. She’s unresponsive.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Is she…?”
“She’s alive. But it’s serious.”
Sarah hung up and rushed out the door, but something gnawed at her as she drove. A quiet voice in her heart whispered, This is what you wanted, isn’t it?
Tears blurred her vision. No. No, she didn’t want this. She wanted relief from her problems, but not like this.
When she arrived, her mother looked small in the hospital bed, machines beeping softly around her. Sarah took her hand, guilt tightening in her chest.
“Oh, Mom,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
That night, she couldn’t sleep. She reached for her Bible, one she hadn’t touched in months, and flipped it open. Her eyes landed on Luke 12:20. “You foolish man! Tonight I will take your life away from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
Tears slid down her face. She had been so consumed by money, by what she could have, that she had nearly wished away the greatest treasure she already had—her mother.
The next morning, Sarah sat by her mother’s bedside, her hand in hers. Whether she had one more day or ten more years, Sarah would cherish every moment. The debts could wait. But love? Love couldn’t.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive me for placing my desires above what truly matters.
Help me to see the blessings I already have and not be consumed by what I lack.
Teach me to trust You with my future and to cherish the time You have given me with those I love.
Thank You for Your grace, even when my heart wanders.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
