POSSESSIONS
I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still
possess.
Martin Luther.
John Wesley's attitude is worthy of pondering. When he learned that his house had been destroyed by fire, he exclaimed,
"The Lord's house burned. One less responsibility for me!"
Our Daily Bread.
Help me not to put too much stock in possessions, Lord. I want things, sure. But life seems to be a continual round of
wanting things -- from the first toys we fight over as children to our thrilled unwrapping of wedding presents to those we buy in our old age. Our
concern is not primarily love and friends and pride in what we can do, but things.
Sometimes I'm ashamed of how much I want mere possessions -- things for my husband and the house and the children. Yes,
and things for myself, too. And this hunger is enhanced every time I turn on the television or walk through a shopping mall.
My senses are tormented by the dazzling world of things.
Lord, cool these fires of wanting. Help me to realize how futile is this passion for possessions. Because -- and this
is what strips my values to the bone -- one of my best friends died today in the very midst of her possessions. She was in the beautiful home she and
her husband worked so hard to achieve, the home that was finally furnished the way she
wanted it with the best of everything. She was surrounded by the Oriental rugs she was so
proud of, the formal French sofas, the painting, the china and glass, the handsome silver
service...She had been snatched away while silently, almost cruelly, THEY
remain. Lord, I
grieve for my friend. My heard hurts that she had so little time to enjoy the things that she had earned and
that meant so much to her. But let me learn something from this loss; that possessions
are meant to enhance life, not to become the main focus of living. Help me remember that
we come into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing.
Don't let me put too much stock in mere possessions.
Marjorie Holmes.
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