Sometimes I splurge a little too much on sweets over the weekend, and by Sunday night I am looking for something healthy to eat to off set all the sugar. I love desserts, but too much of a tasty thing is not satisfying after awhile. You feel bogged down, sluggish, and it does nothing to flatter the waistline. I have to echo Jon's last posting, because I have been guilty of too much materialism this past week, and it does not feel healthy.
When the girls go back to school in September, I get a list going of all the things I have put off in the busy spring and lazy summer. I get focused on this list and I plow through wanting to check off as many tasks as possible. If recliners in the bedroom are on my list, then I want to complete the look and buy a new lamp (or more) that compliment the look of the room. I don't do it because I want to show off or need these things. I do it because it is on my list. My list also consists of balancing the checkbook, checking on a phone bill that seems to high, getting all of our family pictures on a digital album, and planning a thirteenth birthday party for Rachel.
In truth, the purchases I made last week did not give me the same joy that I feel when I am taking Buddy for a walk in the morning and my I-pod is blaring praise music from Micheal W. Smith. I guess that just confirms what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes. The son of King David had everything a man could ask for, wealth, status, and lots of beautiful wives (Jon has always said that one is more than enough). He was terribly unhappy at the end of his life, and he writes about how meaningless everything turned out to be.
Ecclesiastes is a rather depressing book in the Bible, but it is filled with great truths. Everything we have will grow old and be worth nothing. It is all meaningless. But, if you put your time and resources into something everlasting, like your relationship with God, then you have a gift that will never grow old. True happiness only comes from God. King Solomon makes the following statement at the end of his book:
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. ECC 12:13
The greatest characteristic about God is that He forgives me of these faults, understands my humanity, and leads me back into His presence. My relationship with God is the "main course" that fills my body and soul with strength.
We all have wish lists that need to be filled. Some things on that list are very important. We have to maintain our homes and put time into projects that are important to those around us, like a birthday party. I think the lesson here is to not dwell on what you don't have, can't have, or is beyond your means. Be content so that when good fortune comes your way, you are appreciative of the gift. God wants to give you gifts. He wants you to be happy. Most of all, He wants you to have a relationship with Him that is everlasting.
Sandy
