by Kim Avery

“I have too much stuff” sang out the urgent email from mom. You see, she and my dad are moving. After 50+ years of marriage, 10 of them in their current home, they are uprooting themselves once again.

They have picked out a beautiful, friendly community and chosen the perfect and perfectly-sized home. But their new house is less than half the size of their current home. Less than half! Hence, the emergency “I have too much stuff” email.

Why So Much Stuff?

I understand. I like stuff! I have a lot of stuff. Like my mom, I actually have too much stuff. What brought about this sad state of affairs?

Each item in my house was carefully pondered, lovingly selected, and paid for with pain. When I bought the waffle iron, the Snuggie, and the Miranda Crystal Trifle Bowl, I brought them home because I wanted them. I thought they would do something for me. In fact, I knew that they would change my life.

The waffle iron would create warm memories doused with maple syrup and a touch of whipped cream. My Snuggie would envelop me with love when the winds of life blew cold. And the trifle bowl? It, of course, would fill my life with awestruck admirers as I walked into each party with the Mona Lisa of all desserts.

Tumbleweed Dreams

But in the end, it is all just stuff. Tumbleweed dreams, these once coveted items are now languishing at the back of the closet waiting the day when they’ll be thoughtlessly given away.

Love can’t be bought, respect must be earned, and beautiful memories can be made with nary a waffle iron in sight.

As I graciously declined my mother’s offer of making her stuff my own, it occurs to me that in Christ I already have all that I’ll ever need. And that is something that money definitely can’t buy.

How about you? I’d would love it if you would leave a comment in the box below and share a few of the expendable items that are hidden in the recesses of your life.