Stuff. Stacks, piles, boxes, bags, dumpsters full of stuff. George Carlin once did a whole skit on stuff: how much we have, what we need for storage, etc. As we are preparing to move I have become acutely aware of how much stuff we have or have had. Over the past 9 years I thought I had given away a lot of it, but we're still filling boxes and bags to give away. We're filling a dumpster and still taking out basic trash. And still the boxes mount. Stuff. Some of it purchased for just a one-time use, some of it is well-worn. Some comes from my parents' house that I haven't been able to go through, some I have gone through and just can't give up, yet. There are lots and lots of pictures, and actually a minimum of furniture (if you don't count the grand piano). Boxes of tapes & DVDs, boxes of toys and books so the grandkids (who do not yet exist) will have something to do when they visit. We're not downsizing too much: moving to a three bedroom apartment, but it just seems we're drowning in stuff, even though we've tried to live rather simply.
Luke records Jesus telling a story about a rich man whose land produced abundant crops and he was faced with a choice: give some of it away, or build more barns so he could keep it for himself. He chose the latter, and prepared to sit back, relax, eat, drink, and be merry. But that very night his soul was required of him, and all that stuff he had accumulated would then go to others. Having recently cleaned out my parents' house I am also acutely aware that all the stuff we accumulate is not ours. So we will continue to give away as much as possible so we are not defined by our stuff, and so our stuff does not get in the way of our relationship with God and with other people.
Loving God, we really don't need all the stuff with which we surround ourselves. But some of it brings back good memories, some of it reminds us of when we and our families were younger, and some of it we have kept because we are certain we will use it some day. Help us to be willing to let go of our stuff when it is needed by someone else, or when it begins to separate us from you or from others. Help us remember that all the stuff we have is not ours, but comes from you, and that we must not be wasteful. And when the time comes for our stuff to pass to other generations, may they be both generous with it and respectful of it.......Amen
Luke records Jesus telling a story about a rich man whose land produced abundant crops and he was faced with a choice: give some of it away, or build more barns so he could keep it for himself. He chose the latter, and prepared to sit back, relax, eat, drink, and be merry. But that very night his soul was required of him, and all that stuff he had accumulated would then go to others. Having recently cleaned out my parents' house I am also acutely aware that all the stuff we accumulate is not ours. So we will continue to give away as much as possible so we are not defined by our stuff, and so our stuff does not get in the way of our relationship with God and with other people.
Loving God, we really don't need all the stuff with which we surround ourselves. But some of it brings back good memories, some of it reminds us of when we and our families were younger, and some of it we have kept because we are certain we will use it some day. Help us to be willing to let go of our stuff when it is needed by someone else, or when it begins to separate us from you or from others. Help us remember that all the stuff we have is not ours, but comes from you, and that we must not be wasteful. And when the time comes for our stuff to pass to other generations, may they be both generous with it and respectful of it.......Amen
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