Matthew 6:19-21
We have been clearing out the clutter in our home for over a year now. Bit by bit we have been emptying drawers and closets, clearing out stuff that had accumulated over the years. Things that had a purpose in past years but now is no longer used. I'm nor sure it's our age or the "season" we are in but I have felt the need to minimize our "stuff". It's been a slow process, frequently interrupted by life events.
My friend moved last summer and as she was packing, she told me how amazed she was over all the "stuff" she had accumulated and a little convicted about everything they had accumulated over the years. I can surely identify, where was I storing MY treasure and why do I hang on to the things that I do?
We have been steadily cleaning things out, and have piles of things ready for donation. Our youngest even helped by going through some of his belongings over the holidays. We still have a long ways to go, a fact that was only too apparent following a trip to make my in laws house secure.
Talk about a situation that demonstrated a scripture. We were at the house to change the locks so thieves would not steal these earthly treasures. It was a stark reminder to me at how unimportant these "things" are we put value in are, they are gone now. On the other hand it all represented a flood of memories.
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having things, that's not at all what I am saying. It is a heart attitude, we must be good stewards to what the Lord has given us and invest in things that have eternal value. One day we will leave all these things on earth behind.
Oh to remember to invest in things that are eternal.
7 comments:
Yes, truly...the important things are the eternal things after all. You know these are the things I think about, too....right? Thank you for sharing your heart here Maryann. I am thankful that we are friends. Hugs! Camille
What a great post! I am working on getting rid of 'stuff' too. We won't be taking any of it with us.
Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady
I think we have been on the same page lately! :)
Yes, the key is putting it all in perspective, although that is easier said than done. As Jonathan Edwards prayed, "Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs."
Thanks Maryann for your comments. I've been thinking about that a lot lately, as I think about what is really important, and His soon return. And not hanging onto the things of this life! IT won't last!!
Blessings, Madelaine
You are so right my friend. We ain't taking nothing with us for sure! I learned so much while in Nicaragua about "things" of life. So much I have taken for granite. Bottom line is to be content and to remember the things we store up should be what will last forever in eternity. Thanks for sharing this post. Loved every word of it. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Yes, such truth! We can so easily become "slaves to our stuff" if we are not careful. I went through 35 years of stuff when we moved into our new house last year but I'm afraid we still have way more stuff than we should. I am constantly reminding myself that it is just stuff and has no lasting or eternal value. Great post!
I have been doing the same also. The hard things are the items that hold memories. My adult children don't seem to have attachments to items and they seem to take things to the thrift store on a regular basis. I am now having to deal with the fact that what I buy them or the grands, might be donated within a year to the goodwill. Now that has been harder for me to watch, yet, I want them also to have their treasures in the eternal...looks like I am the one learning the lesson.
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