If you were to make a list of all the stuff you have in boxes, stacked in the garage, or tossed beneath a cabinet, you couldn't. Forgotten stuff, used only for a time, not to be remembered again.
Stuff holds us in bondage. It keeps us from moving forward, from focusing on the present. And, at times, it overwhelms us. Yet, each Christmas I want more of it. I check the Sunday ads searching for it. Not only do I want more stuff, I want to give stuff to my husband and children too.
My teenage daughter Meghan, recently told me a story her college professor shared with her class. It helped me see “stuff” in a much different way.
As the students filed into the college class for their final exam, they were greeted by their teacher. He was standing beside a table of archaic looking items. As each curious student came forward, their professor explained the odd -looking objects, and then proceeded to try and sell them to his students.
“This here is an 8-track player. I'll sell it to you for $100.00.”
“Are you kidding? Those are obsolete. No one uses 8-track players anymore.” The student smirked.
“Well, how about this transistor radio? I'll give you a deal...$40.00.”
Another student peered over the table and laughed at his teacher. “That transistor radio is a dinosaur. And it only gets AM!”
“Ok, then how about this TV?” The professor waved his arm towards the gargantuan television, towering over the table.“I'll give you a bargain...$500.00.”
A chorus of students roared with laughter. “Is this a joke? I bet that TV weighs 500lbs!” The students crouched down to get a better look. “Are those dials for changing the channels? Cmon' professor!” Their laughter had them doubled over by now.
As they chuckled and giggled, their teacher calmly shared, “Men and women... some of them your own mothers and fathers, worked long hours to bring this “stuff” home to their family. Time taken away from their loved ones was used instead to bring a couple smiles, and a few light moments to those they cared about. Not much has changed today. People are working harder and longer to give those they love “stuff”. When what matters, what really counts, is time. And in time, even your newest and neatest toy this Christmas will become archaic, odd and obsolete.”
The teacher looked around his classroom. The laughter had stopped.
This Christmas, take a moment, ask the Lord to help you discover something your husband and children can't tuck away to be forgotten in a box or on a shelf. Take a walk together. Make cookies together. Share a cup of cocoa together. Cuddle on the couch together. Play a game together. Love on one another and laugh together.
Family memories should be the “stuff” we tuck away in our hearts this holiday season.
Originally posted at Blessed...http://www.onesoblessed.com/ December 2009
Posts
Thank you, and you (and the professor) are absolutely right. We live in a generation though where we don't wait and then save, we get it now and pay later. We are still paying long after the newer version has come out and now we are ogling it!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Thank you for passing it on.
Such a great example of how those seemingly "important" things just become "stuff". I love it!
ReplyDeleteStuff... working on the right stuff over here; finally have said "no more" in terms of shopping. I just can't handle it, nor do I need to. We all have enough stuff.
ReplyDeleteLove you friend. Blessed Christmas walk to you and yours this week.
peace~elaine
What a great professor! Such a sobering thought of "stuff." Great post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wise man... Meghan's professor. The perfect object lesson for all of us, but especially the young "I want it all" millennials. Thanks, P & J!
ReplyDelete