THE K.I.S.S. MARRIAGE-“Stuff Managers”
Posted: January 24, 2015
Let’s be honest, most of us are “stuff managers”. We go to work in the morning to make money to buy stuff. Then when we bring it home we have to find a place to put this stuff. When there is no more room, we put our stuff into plastic containers with labels on them and find room in the basement or the garage to store this stuff. Or, we might have to dig through our existing stuff so we can give it away to make room for more stuff. Or, we might have to rent a storage container or locker room to store our stuff. Often times we don’t even know what stuff to use; should we use our golf clubs, kayak, boat, swimming pool, bikes, motor home or just sit at home and linger on the deck? Or should we sit down with our day timers or phones and figure out how we are going to organize all our stuff next week?
Then there are all the children’s activities and all their stuff. We don’t enough room on this blog to list all that stuff. Then there is the church volunteering and all the stuff that goes with that. Then you need to buy new exercise equipment so that you look good at the gym, the golf course or the curling rink. I’m not even done listing all the stuff, but I am sure you’re done reading about it.
Why am I talking about “stuff” today? I had a text from my daughter this morning that was going through her in-laws home with the rest of the family to dig through family “stuff” and pass it on to all the children. Her last comment to me was, “Remind me not to store up treasures on this earth.” I wanted to shout AMEN to that comment. Just over a year ago I had to sort through my beloved mother’s stuff after she passed away. It made me realize that at the end of the day everything goes back into some kind of a box. Also, I just finished reading an outstanding book by Bill Hybels called “SIMPLY”. It injected in me a new determination and passion to stop accumulating and organizing stuff. I’m so done with it.
What does this have to do with a marriage blog? Stuff causes tension and stress. It takes our focus away from the things that are important and valuable, and causes us to be distracted and makes us feel obligated to pour our energy into the wrongs things. In a marriage the most important part is you and your relationship to God, your spouse and your children. If your “stuff managing” is taking you away from spending valuable and grace filled time with the most important aspects of your life, then STOP IT!
Yes we all seek to feel pleasure and to be fulfilled in this life. More stuff will never do that for us. Instead, what will satisfy our souls is an intimate loving relationship with our spouses and children. If you don’t believe me, just read the book of Ecclesiastes in the bible. I know it will make you re-think about all the stuff in your life.
