Thursday, September 20, 2007

Stop Paying for Storage!!!!!!

This weekend, during all the cleaning that was going on, I had a lot of time to reflect on "stuff", and how we accumulate it, store it, value it, hold on to it long after any worth is gone, attempt to sell it or guilt others into taking it based on the value we attribute to it, and then, buy more stuff.

And I was horribly, horribly ashamed.

We get so wrapped up in stuff -- people, places, and things -- that we constantly lose sight of what's going on. As Christians, we constantly hear different analogies that are saying essentially the same thing... that "Stuff" doesn't matter.

And my struggle is getting bent out of shape over other people's stuff. (As though I don't have enough of my own stuff to worry about!) I can't control people. I don't mean to, but I get so frustrated with friends and family. My heart's desire is to do so much more and I either lack the wherewithall or the gift of persuasion to ignite my passion in others. It is truly exasperating.

And then, (as you can imagine), I get so focused on the people focusing on the stuff that I lose my focus on what I'm supposed to be focusing on in the first place.

(I'll give you a moment...)

Ugh.

I can say that I threw away a lot of stuff this weekend. Some, because it was old and in poor condition. Some, just because I don't want to pass on my stuff to distract others. My mother wasn't happy about some of it, but I reminded her that I want to get married, and get new stuff and that if I don't get rid of the old stuff, then I'll have no where to put it.

Isn't that a spiritual metaphor if you've read one today?

So my prayer is this:

Dear Lord,

Help me get rid of all the old stuff in my life that keeps me from you. The stuff that keeps me from truly being intimate with you, the stuff that keeps me from doing what you tell me to, the stuff that keeps me from going where you lead me. Lord, I want new stuff. New Grace. New Mercy. More Love. A Husband. (You knew I was going to mention him, didn't you Lord?) Help me to constantly realize that by getting rid of the material stuff as well as the intangible stuff -- the anger, bitterness, hurt, jealousy, pride, discontentment, bad attitude -- that you give me "stuff" in return, for Your Glory. And help me to appreciate the stuff that I'm supposed to keep -- like the Fruit of the Spirit, and the Ten Commandments, and that greatest commandment -- to Love.

Thank you for being the giver of the "Good Stuff"...
and the Love of my Soul,
In your precious name,
Aman. I mean, Amen.

3 comments:

Jenn said...

I think you should write Bible studies!

Warrior Priestess said...

I'm proud of you.

Holly said...

It was conviction in a good way... believe me!