Our family is in the process of selling our home, the place we have lived for the last eight years. The house was built in 1940, and it is amazing to see the difference in closet and storage space in older homes compared to modern houses. We have so much more “stuff” today than previous generations had.
Each member of our family has been sorting their belongings into one of three categories: donate, sell, or store. We’ve also had to remove many items from the house so that it can be staged for showings to prospective buyers. These items have now been gone for a couple of weeks and we don’t miss a one of them. We could probably go another round or two removing even more things and not miss that stuff either. Isn’t it incredible how comfortable we get with all our belongings around us, and yet we still want more? It’s an insatiable thirst.
Another adventure for me was trying to rent a storage unit. I was amazed at how many places had no available units. The third storage facility I visited – with 1,000 units! – finally had something to rent. Pardon my slang, but Americans have so much crap. And so do I, which is sad because I should know better. I’ve been to the world’s poorest countries and visited with those who have so little. Many of them have greater contentment than we do.
The Bible is clear that we come and go from this world with nothing but our naked bodies (Job 1:21). Yet we don’t really live our lives with that reality in mind, focusing on what matters. Instead, we buy and buy and buy some more. We pursue the pleasures of the here and now.
May our family use this opportunity to get a better perspective on life and possessions.
