Many years ago a friend of mine decided to invest in silver. This was during the 1980s when the price of silver per ounce had hit an all time high. I’m not sure how much he invested exactly, but a decade later, he’d lost it all. The 1990s brought a drastic drop in the precious metal.

Likewise, in the 1980s, gold rose in value. I distinctly remember the new “gold rush,” that of Americans to their jewelry boxes to dig for unused, broken, or unwanted gold pieces. I was among the many. I turned in old rings, bracelets, and necklaces from days-gone-by boyfriends and made a pretty penny in return.

But what did I do with the money? I have no idea.

The problem with investing in any kind of precious metal is this: its value waxes and wanes. They never lose their beauty, of course, but their value can plummet with the ring of a bell on Wall Street.

Fasting and French Fries

What is the most precious thing you own, not including spouses, children, grandchildren, or other family members? What is the most expensive? (For some, that might be one of those children!)

If you’re like me, you’ve probably walked around your home and thought about what you would grab if the house were on fire. Perhaps it’s a picture or a painting (I have one that came from my grandparent’s estate that means the world to me), your silver or crystal, a piece of jewelry (especially heirloom jewelry), collectables, or—let’s hope—your Bible.

Or, you may have played the game where you are on a deserted island and you can only have one item with you … and what would it be.

Now shift in thought. Can you think of a time when you did something so horrible, so awful even, that when you ran to the Lord with your misdeeds, He met you first in Word and then in song? And what, if anything, does that have to do with the value of possessions?

If you’ve read my “What Are We Singing” articles before, you know I rarely go write about the inspiration behind the song. Rather, I expound on the thoughts and emotions brought about by the song. But having read the story behind this song, I thought you might want me to start there.

In her song, More Precious than Silver, Lynn DeShazo explores a number of elements created by God and considered of great value—silver, gold, diamonds—as well as those elements of nature created by Him to be seen as impressive in and of themselves.

But did you know the song came to be because of a French fry?

After graduating from Auburn University in 1978, Lynn DeShazo took a job at McDonald’s. One day, and while she was fasting, her manager put her on “fryer duty.” For anyone who has ever entered a McDonald’s completely full or ravenous, you know the power of a French fry. In a moment of weakness, Lynn did, too. In spite of her fast, she … shall we say … partook.