Living Simply

During this season of the year, with its seemingly unending stream of activities, and because of my own particular place in life, I feel compelled to once again address the issue of simplicity, something I talk a lot about.

I am still dealing with my late parents' possessions, and now I am also packing up my 94-year-old aunt's things, as she has decided she needs around the clock care and has entered a skilled nursing facility. All of this has me thinking again about what is truly lasting and of value, as I believe our attitude toward material possessions is one of the most important aspects of spiritual growth.

When the things we own are dear to us, other areas of our lives will suffer, because ownership is time-consuming. As we work to acquire more and more, we also must extend great amounts of our time and resources to store and/or maintain what we have. If we are not diligent, it is easy enough to let what we have start defining who we are; we may even think we have value because we own things of value. This, of course, is not the case and is in direct opposition to the teachings and example of Jesus, who apparently had few possessions and certainly didn't seem to care much about what he did own.

In fact, Jesus says in Luke 12:33-34, "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Letting go of the hold which possessions have on our lives is an important step in realizing and putting into practice the notion that God alone should be a believer's one true desire. The freedom which comes from seeing what surrounds us as being only temporary brings a sense of contentment that allows us to relax and enjoy a lifestyle which is much less hurried and harried and more focused on treasures, such as love, hope and faith, which will not decay with time.

Here's wishing for a happy, simple holiday season for us all.