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"Stuff"

I've been thinking about going through all the kids toys again. I just did this about 3 to 4 months ago, but I think I can get rid of more "stuff". They don't need all that "stuff". Now, after 3 days of no toys in their rooms and neither one of them asking for ANY of it, just proves my fact that they don't need it all. No, I am not going to get rid of it all, but I am going to SUPER condense! My kids have a SUPER imagination and I want them to use it more! They really have these last couple of days! Dakotah has been "teaching" Gavin how to use his, and tell him all he really needs is an empty closet, a step stool, blanket and a pillow to have fun! Shoot, Skylar is even getting in on the fun!!! :O) So, why do we have so much "Stuff"? Why do we hang on to our "stuff" even when we say we don't need it or use it?

Matthew 6:19-21 says "Do not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy it, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:15 says "Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.""


We got rid of out DIRECTV to save some money. In one respect, I did not want to get rid of it! I was thinking, what are my kids going to do Saturday mornings when I want that extra 30 minutes of sleep? That was a couple months ago, we are all still alive with OUT DIRECTV!!! :O) I also this last month cut way back on how much "movies" they watch. I used to put in a BOZ or Veggie Tale for Gavin so I could take a shower. Not anymore! They watch 4 movies TOPS per week!! That includes the 45 minute BOZ or the 45 minutes Veggie Tales or the hour and half Disney movie. That may still seem like a lot, but I think it is MUCH better than it used to be!

I was part of a conversation at a mom's group a while ago. The conversation was about our wedding dresses. One of them said that her mom dry cleaned it and got it sealed for her, another said hers was in a tub in storage and she could sell it, another said hers was cleaned and hanging in her closet, mine, hanging in my closet in the plastic bag I got it in! We all said that we didn't know why we still had them, it wasn't like our daughters were going to want to wear an old wedding dress when they got married, so why do we still have them? If we aren't attached to them? I think of all those families in CA. They lost EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have NOTHING, yet we have soooo much, including a roof over our heads!

This Christmas my kids will get 2 "dress up" outfits (thanks to the 50% off Halloween costumes, and going to re-sew an old bridesmaid dress I had and make it for Kotah), a game, 1 or 2 puzzles, and we want to get a bear from Family Christian that is 5 bucks and the Store will donate it to an orphanage. I may get one new toy for them, but I don't know about that yet. (Ok, so I don't plan on giving Skylar a dress up outfit, I'll find something else.) Nothing more will they get! My kids don't need "stuff" to make them happy! They have proved that fact to me these last couple of days! (I'm also thinking this "whole take the toys away" is coming back to bite me in the face, but we are all learning a lesson! :O)) I will also be going from room to room house cleaning!!!! I will be getting rid of all the "stuff" we don't need! No, I am not turning my family into an Amish family, but they do have the right idea on SOME things!!! They don't need "stuff" to survive! So why do we?

2 Corinthians 12:14 says "Now I am ready to visit you for the third time and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is NOT your possessions, BUT YOU!"

Are your possessions controlling you, or your "want" of "stuff" controlling you, or is your relationship to God FIRST? How would you feel if you lost EVERYTHING to a fire like all those families in CA? Think about it!

What I say is NOT meant to tick anybody off. If I have offended anyone, please talk to me and let me know. I am just writing what has been on my mind and heart for the last month and have not been sure how to put it to words.

Comments

Angela said…
GREAT post, Mandy! We don't even realize how much 'stuff' we have, much less appreciate it. What a great reminder of how truly simple our children are. And, how as a society we really aren't encouraging our children to use their imaginations. They are so overly 'entertained' they have no need for an imagination anymore! And, they have SOOO much, they don't even have the opportunity to truly appreciate it all!
You have inspired me to simplify yet again! Seems its an ongoing process ... but a good one! Thanks for the reminder and perspective!

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