Friday, May 10, 2013

Putting "stuff" into Perspective

Well we're moved in and still in the seemingly never ending process of unpacking everything. The movers came earlier than expected and actually weren't going to be here until the 14th. That was definitely an answer to prayer, we really didn't want to wait until Tuesday!

Living in a hotel for two weeks, you definitely realize how much you depend on all your "stuff." The thing is, it's just stuff. Even the car falls into that category. We didn't have a car for the entire first week on Oahu. We were in a new place, really didn't know anyone and oh yeah, no transportation except for the bus system and the shuttle that would take the military to base. We also hadn't been put on the waiting list for a home yet, so there was no telling how long it would take us to get a house. I felt really isolated, especially with Pete at work all day. I was worried about the shipment of our household goods. What if our stuff was damaged? What about finding a car? With all the adjusting going on, sometimes the Bible reading in the morning wouldn't happen. Pete turned to Matthew 6:25-34 one night before we went to bed:

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matthew 6:26, 27 ESV)"

Everything was uncomfortable and unfamiliar but would having a home and a car and all my cookware etc. really make me feel better? When the movers brought our household goods, a plate was broken as well as one of our new side tables for the master bedroom that we had not even used yet. Really, how much hope and focus do we put into our things rather than relying on God's blessings each day and being a witness to others. I can tell you that my attitude about the one broken piece of furniture was not Christ like.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)"

"Things", include a home to live in. Our home for the next three years is really a very nice townhouse. Two bedrooms, one full bath and one half bath. It's big enough for us to entertain comfortably and have company come and stay. As nice as that is, it's not permanent. That made me a little sad, but our Lord didn't have a permanent home on earth either.

And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20 ESV)"

It just puts everything into perspective, including all the stuff in our home. The Lord has graciously provided us with everything we need in this house and we can praise Him for all this! Even though it us wonderful and exciting being able to
set up our first home, these are just things and in light of eternity, really won't matter that much.













2 comments:

  1. I love your place. Enjoy looking at your pictures. Miss you guys. :)

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