THINGS

So, yesterday at Bible study as we got into small groups I just happened to have noticed all the Coach bags that were on our table. Not that it matters, but it did get me to thinking about the "things" I own, which are not much to say the least. When I got home I looked in my clothes closet and determined that there is NOTHING in my closet that costs me over $20 bucks, with the exception of my Nike tennis shoes which I bought over four years ago for $40, so averaged out they shouldn't count. Everything in my closet has mostly come from $3 sales racks at Wal-Mart or clearance racks at other stores with an average of about $10 (maybe).
So after I checked out my closet I then took a gander at the rest of my house and its furnishings. Again, I found nothing of great expense. My bedroom suit is the most expensive thing that we have purchased as far as furniture goes, and it was a DEAL. There is no fine china. My dishes came from Wal-Mart. My kids have never had video games or atv's to play with and are clothed with hand-me-downs from good friends. Our big TV was given to us not long ago which replaced the other TV that was given to us while we were at seminary. We have just the one compact Chevy Cobalt car that we share. Just not many "things" to brag about.
Why am I pointing all this out? Don't know other than it just struck me that we, my family, spend very, very little to exist in this world as compared to others. Would I love to be able to go shopping each season? Oh, you better believe it. To shop for fun is not something I think I have ever been able to do, and honestly, not sure if it will ever happen.
Early in our marriage we didn't have a clue on how to handle money, as we were never taught. Then, when we did start making money, the alcohol was in control and money disappeared as fast as it appeared. After the alcohol and the life turn-around for Keith, we then entered the ministry where we sold almost everything when we went to seminary. And yes, we are still paying dearly for financial mistakes made in the past.
I guess it just strikes me how "things" can control you if you let them. "Things", or the lack thereof, can easily control me if I think about them for too long, or if I let myself compare my lifestyle to those around me. Flesh can take over in a flash, and then envy sets it. I admit wholeheartedly that this is a daily battle that I fight over and over. I pray hard each day that I don't let myself get caught up in "things". I'm not by any means saying that I believe having things are wrong. I am saying that it is not necessary to have expensive things to exist in this world, because we do it daily.
I'm not sure we will ever own our home again, have a car that fits all of us comfortably, or be able to go shopping and take vacations just for fun. But I am sure that God has made sure that we have EVERYTHING we NEED. We have not gone hungry or naked, ever! I firmly believe as long as we are seeking God and seeking to obey what He has in store for us, we are going to be fine.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you? O you of little faith? So do not worry saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his rightousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 25-34
This I know: I am a child of God and he promises to take care of me so long as I seek HIM first. This also I know: my eternal home is one of splendor and great majesty and is next door to a King, the King of Kings.
Finally, I have my family, all together, and we are trying with all our might to serve our God faithfully.
Just my thoughts. Hope you are able to get something out of it.