What do you Value?
by Jen D.

Years ago before I was married I got a job taking care of an elderly lady who needed someone to cook meals and do light house work. I had to live with her in her spare room.

At this time I was engaged to get married and so began buying things for my new home not a lot but some cookware a couple of blankets and such. The job was only temporary and the day came when I had to leave and a new girl took over the job. I had to leave some of the things with this lady and she said that was fine to come back as soon as I could.

I could not get back right away as my new husband and I lived 400 miles away and he worked nights and slept days and I did not drive at that time. Finally though we did get back. The lady told me that the girl who replaced me had ripped her off and had also taken my things. She felt bad for us being newly weds and on a fixed budget. $1.60 an hour did not go far hubby was working in a civilian capacity as a conscientious objector for Goodwill industry and could not change jobs his service would not end until September and t was June.

Well I was a bit upset of course but nothing could be done. Then this lady told me. Before I had come to work for her she had a house fire and it burned most everything she valued her what-nots, nic-nacs, special dishes and things she rarely ever used even antiques and heirlooms. That was why she was living now in a mobile home. She had been able with neighbors help to salvage and rescue a few things but not many.

Then she said You have your husband which is more important "Material things or his arms around you in love and understanding" She said I lost my husband in that fire and would give all my worldly possessions to have him here with his arms around me. So losing a few dishes is nothing. She then said she no longer saved things like fancy china but she used it regularly because to let it set for months or even years took up space for more important things and needs.

She told me that she used to think highly of family antiques and heirlooms she displayed for looks and not touching. Then she learned they did not matter they should be used because everything that really mattered was forever lost to her. She said she did have her daughter and grandkids but not her husband. So she told me "Never put things above, God, Family or Friendship" Things are always there but love is precious and each day spent with someone you love is special.

So I learned something and I don't value things or material goods. Unless I can and do use it no matter how nice or fancy or old I don't keep it unless I use and utilize it regularly. However my friends and family I want around and hold dear and some right now I miss deeply and sadly and pray for reconciliations and healing.

Some I will have to wait for reuniting in another time and realm than our own because they are sleeping until resurrection.

So as this holiday season peaks What is you really value. Do you REALLY need to buy things for people? Will they REALLY make you or someone else happy and content? Will they last and will they be used and appreciated or traded in for cash or something else the day after Christmas? What is the frenzy of buy, buy, buy, What if you woke up tomorrow and lost your job and your home to a fire but everyone you loved was safe, well and being cared for.

Or what if you lost your life savings and retirement you worked so hard for. What are things, why do we need them? Do you really need the newest t.V or computer, new dress or new car? Do you need that second family income that means another car to drive, maintain and insure, special clothing and hair care and grooming for on the job, money paid for someone else to watch your kids. What have you really gained? $100 maybe $500 more a month after all taxes and expenses to buy something you could just as well saved for rather than work outside the home.

What if tomorrow you found out that you could NOT afford to buy all the material gifts for your loved ones. Would they still love you and understand or would they be angry and hurt and selfish and turn away. What if you instead had to make handcrafted things from scraps and home baked cookies or fudge? Or sew a dress or knit a sweater or some other creative homemade item. Would it matter to you and to your family if you gave your daughter a handmade rag doll instead of the newest Barbie? To your son if you gave him a hand-carved toy truck instead of a big glitzy new shiny toy truck from the store.

What would you do if you just said NO I am not going to spend my money on expensive things but I am going to spend the time with them singing songs, cooking a nice meal, playing games and handing out a letter of how much you love and treasure each one?

I can live with out a lot of things yes even without a computer and cell phone and a lot of modern day contraptions and inventions. But I need my family and friends around me. Of all the gifts my parents gave me it was a letter to me from my mom given on my 16th birthday that I still keep and sometimes read. It is now worn and yellowed but treasured the only one of many other gifts over the years I kept and care about the more so since she is now gone. And a card from my dad. Also gone 10 years ago I read his card and wish he were still here.

So while shopping and having a struggle if you can afford something or not that is going to eventually wear out, get torn, stained, broken does it really matter if you buy things for someone?

Better is a dinner with herbs where love is, than a fatted calf where hatred abounds

Prov 15:17

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting and strife. Prov 17:1

Look at a baby between the age of 6 months and two they are more content to play with the pretty paper and ribbons than the contents the package held. So we should be the same. Content with the little things and less worried about affording the glitz and glamour of commercialism to buy beyond your means for a moment of paper ripping, avarice and let downs because you or someone didn't get what they WANTED! Not needed.

Because it is love and friends and family and smiles and memories that are more precious than silver, gold, diamonds or anything else.