STUFF

Stuff. I have plenty of it. In fact, I have spent my entire fall break reorganizing my stuff so that I might know better where it is. And there is the issue isn't it. I mean it just begs to be compared to the scene in City Slickers where Jack Palance tells Billy Crystal about his finger. Jack says that he knows what the meaning of life is, and then he holds up his finger.



Of course Jack is saying that the meaning of life is just one thing and you have to figure out what that one thing is. As I was reorganizing my stuff I realized how far I am from understanding the wisdom in Jack's statement. I have 4 wheelers and scooters, fishing equipment and firearms, bicycles and horses. One would think that a bible believing christian could be satisfied with less. And I should be satisfied with less, but I am not.



I am working on it though. There is nothing like a good fall break cleaning to let you know that regardless of what you accumulate, nothing can satisfy the empty spot in your soul like good friends who share your dependance on the person of Christ. I will treasure the trip to Chandler to eat at Papa's Barbecue where Gary Smalley prepared some of the best brisket I have ever had. After we ate, he came out of the kitchen and shared some stories with us about his days in high school. At our age those high school stories become more an interpretation of memory than fact, but I am not complaining.



I was also able to spend one of my evenings with a couple of friends watching the DaVinci Code. The DVD quit working halfway through, but it did not keep us from enjoying our friendship. Some might say that the Lord was gracious in interrupting such a godless movie. Okay, but the point is that the people that I chose to spend my evening with made the evening worth remembering.



This afternoon, I took a break to watch my son's football game. He did not get to play because he missed some practices this week, but he understands the lesson. Who could ask for more from their son?



Then there is the fact that things are better. My stuff is easier to find and easier to use. There must be some benefit in that? Right?



Tomorrow I am going to church and I need to remember that when I am old and tired, I will remember my time with my friends more than I will will remember my times with my stuff.



This has been one of the best Fall breaks that I can remember, even though nothing went according to plan.