Hello, dear listeners. In the heat of midsummer, don’t we long for the cool valleys of the forest? The summer forest, always embracing our weariness and pain, is like an open Bible— a place of healing and quiet restoration.
In this season, when we’re confined to the city, irritation and boredom can quietly creep into our lives. But when we remember that we are alive, and surrounded by those we love, new strength rises within us.
Just a few days ago, our eldest daughter, now in college, sent her father a beautiful birthday card. He was so moved by her heartfelt message that tears welled up in his eyes. Inside the card was a check—for one million dollars. I was stunned. I had no idea our daughter was so wealthy. What’s that? Was it a real million-dollar check? Well… let’s begin with a song of praise.
Birthdays come every year. Sometimes they pass quietly, and sometimes they’re celebrated with joy and festivity. When I was young, I would wait with excitement for my birthday, wondering how my parents would celebrate it that year. They never disappointed me. I remember the seaweed soup with beef and the new clothes they dressed me in. Back then, beef was a rare treat— a delicacy reserved for birthdays. Now, meat is so common we often avoid it, but in those days, that soup was a treasure.
Looking back, I realize that birthdays were a way to measure how much love and attention we received from our family. It’s in the love and care of others—not ourselves— that we find emotional stability and meaning in life.
In our family, we try not to forget birthdays. We celebrate them together. This year, my husband’s birthday arrived, but for the first time, we couldn’t all gather. Still, each of us prepared a heartfelt card to express our love.
Our eldest daughter wrote this in her card:
“Dad, if I were to convert your love for me into money, it would surely exceed a million dollars. Though we haven’t opened a joint bank account, your loving advice has become my greatest treasure, stored away in my heart. Sometimes I seem not to listen, or even ignore your words, but I’m always grateful— because I know your words are the best path for me. Who could ever compare to you, Dad? Thank you for gently guiding me through my mistakes and missteps, helping me grow and mature. So here it is—through the account of love and gratitude, I present you with a million-dollar check. Happy birthday. From your loving eldest daughter.”
Holding that check—worth nothing at the bank, but priceless in meaning—my husband rejoiced like a child. We’ve long known that we can no longer command our grown daughter with “do this” or “don’t do that.” We’ve entrusted her with the responsibility of her own life. And yet, nothing brings more happiness than the mutual exchange and confirmation of love between parent and child.
This kind of love isn’t limited to family. It’s through human relationships that we discover joy and fulfillment. Many people mistakenly believe that love is proportional to what they own— that only those with possessions can give love. So we think our duty as parents is to leave behind generous bank accounts and material wealth.
But this mindset is a symptom of our captivity to materialism and the myth of money’s power. Somewhere along the way, our society began to accept the idea that earning money fulfills a parent’s duty. We comfort ourselves by thinking we’ve done enough if our children can live comfortably and keep up with others in their spending.
But this trend has made us harsh, emotionally dry, and disconnected from beauty, justice, and compassion. We see people of noble character and great talent pushed aside because they lack financial means. Even families reject them. We mock them, saying, “They were born in the wrong era.” But no one is born in the wrong time. Everyone has a place and a purpose. It’s just that we’ve stopped recognizing worth beyond economic value.
Across cultures and centuries, what people need most is not wealth— but a love account. A house without a home, a meeting without emotional connection— these leave people wandering and in conflict. Those who grow up with abundant love know how to live truthfully. They may seem weak, but they are strong. They trust others. They love unconditionally— not because they’ve received love or benefit, but because they choose to give.
Sometimes, those with power, wealth, or knowledge appear strong and victorious. But in truth, no one is stronger than those with a well-filled account of love. They are the ones who ultimately triumph in life.
We work 40, even 70 hours a week for our livelihood. But how much time and heart do we invest in our children, spouses, parents, and friends? Could it be that your relationships are nearing emotional bankruptcy?
God opened a love account with humanity by investing His very life. It was not a transaction, but unconditional love. Even if your life is on the brink of collapse— or already collapsed— just approach that love, and you’ll recover every lost credit. You’ll become rich again. You’ll become a person of true dignity, regardless of your education or possessions.
Dear listeners, John 3:16 says,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus not only restored our bankrupt lives, but called us all with love that knows no discrimination. That love is priceless— no amount of money could ever pay for it.
Right now, the mountains and fields are bursting with nature’s celebration. Close your eyes and take a walk through it. Listen to the wind, the water, the insects, the whispering leaves, the echo of the hills, even the footsteps of snakes… But the sweetest, most beautiful sound is the language of love coming from your own account of love.
Use that language freely this summer. And give your neighbors and family a million-dollar check that can’t be cashed— but will make us all rich.
See you next week. Take care.
— Wanhee Yoon, Korean Christian Radio Broadcast, “In the Forest Where the Window Opens” (July 13, 1997)
Daily Sauntering 
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