Who ever dies with the most toys wins?

Today I had the great opportunity to help an elderly couple in my family clean out a home in which they have lived in for the last 35 years.  The history tied to every item that was picked up was incredible.  There was excitement, sometimes finding a treasure that had been misplaced. Remembering the moment something had been given or even made and even sometimes it was easier to follow the family tree through an item, dish or piece of furniture rather than through relationships now that is something to ponder! The emotional attachment was just as incredible especially in this world that we live in today! They have things that I never knew existed and duplicates of so many items.

It was a long process today with 8 people putting their noses to the grindstone, focused on cleaning up and cleaning out every crevice of their garage, dining room, family room and a covered patio area.  It seems as if we had not even worked a minute on the huge amount of things that we really need to get through before moving day in April.  Really we had been working over 7 hours today, crazy!

For someone like me today was an easy process because in my mind how much do you really need?  There are always others that need things more than I do. For others, material items are very much what hold them and bind them to this planet. Maybe such strong connections to items draw them stronger into a family history?

I know that since I made my decision to follow the Lord overseas into full time ministry that there are things that I will leave behind.  Mentally and physically remembering every day that you don’t need items and stuff to be comfortable and reach people for Christ.  The need is the Love of God, giving love to God and loving others.