United Methodist Rural Advocates
UMRA
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Our Values
    • Our Legislation
    • UMRA Bylaws
    • Board Job Description
    • Certified Lay Ministers
    • Links
    • Partnerships
    • Resources
  • GC Legislation
    • 2020 Legislation
    • NFAMLP 2020 Legislation
  • Prayers
  • Events
    • UMRA Webinar
    • MINISTRY AWARD RECIPIENTS
    • Hon. Life Membership and Citation of Merit
    • GC 2016
  • UMRA Membership
    • JOIN UMRA
    • Donations
  • News

stuff

6/7/2017

0 Comments

 
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
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

     Author

    Peggy Jeffries

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    December 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.