Treasures meant to be shared

On this July 4th weekend, I am reminded of the stories and life experiences surrounding those who fought in World War I and World War II in our world. The flowing is a true story. It is not a story of valor during the war but it is a commentary on the ways and times of those who lived through that experience. 

During World War I the government issued liberty bonds to raise money for its expenses and involvement in World War I. This true story is the story of World War I liberty bonds and a piano. Her mother died when she was just six so she was raised by her mother's sister and various other adults that walked in and out of her life. Her mother had died in childbirth and from then on this woman and her two siblings' lives were unsettled and unsure. Instead of a loving and a nurturing atmosphere, they now were shuffled from relatives who were gamblers, abusers and losers. They could do nothing but endure.

Years passed. By the hand of God, they survived. They made it to adulthood. One joined the military, one got married and the other went off to college.

The one who went off to college married a young man headed for the ministry. But first he served in the Army during World War II. After his discharge, an unexpected message came. The aunt who had raised the three siblings informed them that they each would receive a Liberty War Bond from one of their uncles.  Even though all the cousins had the same common grandmother, the other cousins inherited lands and houses but the three young motherless children were given one war bond each. The inequity of the situation was overwhelming, but they were not surprised because it had always been that way since their mother died.

So the young woman decided that the best thing that she could do with her war bond was to cash it, buy a piano and learn to play hymns so she could help her preacher husband. So did just that and  began piano lessons. They were a team. Her husband preached at little country churches and she planned the song services and played the piano for each one.

 Times were difficult. They traveled long distances to the country churches and gasoline money took a big part of the young pastor's meager salary.

Five years after they were married, the couple found that a baby was on the way. They were thrilled but knew that the expense of the doctor and hospital was out of their budget.

So the young mother had an idea: she decided to sell her piano that she had bought with war bonds to pay for the doctor and hospital bills.

Years later when this mother told the story to her daughter, time had put things into perspective. She was not wealthy from inherited lands and houses but the war bond had bought her a piano. The music she played inspired church parishioner after another. Her life through her music touched many through the years. Her daughter, whose hospital bill as a newborn was paid by the sale of the piano, grew to be a Christian woman who raised three beautiful Christian children. Then great grandchildren learned the ways of the Lord and the love of a Savior.

Jesus said: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and trust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6: 19-20

Storing up eternal treasure — all from a woman, a war bond and a piano.

Judy Brandon is a Clovis resident. Contact her at: cbrandon@plateautel.net