By the middle of March, most of us have ceased following through on our New Year’s resolutions; in fact, most of us have probably forgotten what they even were. Looking around at my house, mine was to divest myself of extraneous items, clothing I had not worn for many years – we all have those items, for sure – and books that I read and will probably not read again.
Now, by the middle of March, I have tried to continue to follow through on the resolution. Every week I dutifully pack up at least one box of books to take to the AAUW book store in the basement at Old First. As spring approaches, I am now packing up the spring items that have been hanging in the closet for only God knows what reason to take to the Calico Cat, a resale shop to support assistance programs.
What’s frightening, of course, is the fact that there’s still so much stuff! We all have good intentions, but I have to wonder what is really worth holding onto. The old photos, of course, now being dutifully labelled so my kids will know the reasons these photos were saved and meant something. Trying to decide what is extraneous and what is essential is more difficult than I thought it would be. Lent makes you think about these things.
Prayer for the Day
Looking about our possessions, we realize how much they define us,
And we ask ourselves what is really essential to our lives;
Although we know they are even more fleeting than we are,
We hold onto them hoping they will last as long as our lives.
But you, O God, call us to look beyond the material
And in our heart of hearts we know we must look to you.
In the name of the One who tells us to give our cloaks to others,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
But that's how it is when you start wanting to have things. Now I just look at them, and when I go away I carry them in my head. Then my hands are always free, because I don't have to carry a suitcase.”
- Tove Jansson, Finnish writer and artist, from Elizabeth Portch (1914-2001)
The more material things that we possess, the less clear life becomes. Therefore, if you want clarity, have a garage sale.
- Craig D. Lounsbrough, American pastor and counselor
For all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and pride of life – is not from God but from the world.
First Epistle of John 2:16