All of those Trophies ~ I don't need them anymore!

Sam came downstairs with his arms full ~ of trophies and medals.  He asked, "Mommy, can I keep these? Andrew said he doesn't want them anymore."  I have not looked through each one, but there are lots and lots of running awards.  We got rid of the soccer and other ball trophies years ago in one of our moves.  Andrew kept his Bear stuff - the mugs and medals but did not feel a need to keep anything else.  He is a minimalist, but I can also learn something from him.  He does not need to keep "stuff" to remind him of those good old race days.  He knows what he did and sees no need to advertise it!  And keeping some of the most memorable ones and letting go of the rest made sense to him.

Now, Sam has not accumulated many trophies.  We tried some sports when he was younger, but it was too hard with high or low blood sugars.  We did not want to commit and then not be there.  So he has not had much experience getting many ribbons or medals or trophies.  So Andrew just handed him a treasure.  And he does not care if he (Sam) earned them.  He just likes to have them.  Maybe to build confidence or feel important.  We will put them on a shelf in his room, and one day, hopefully soon, he will not have a need for them.  But right now he is in awe of his big brother's many awards.  And I appreciate the fact that he may want to be like his brother - in the way of working hard and being diligent - but not clinging too tightly to the things of this world - and that includes awards and trophies.  We can be the biggest thing in this world (like Muhammad Ali) but not point others to Christ.  And that is a waste of our time and efforts.  A big waste.

I hope and pray that anything that my family does points to Christ.  That we don't get caught up in taking credit and thinking that we are the best thing or the biggest thing.  We don't want to get caught up at all, but we should want to be vessels - willing to let Christ shine through us.  For God to be glorified in our lives.

We have been cleaning out and getting rid of stuff.  Someone has way too many toys and Legos.  We watched Madame Blueberry in Veggie Tales, and it is so funny to see how much we depend on stuff - in little or big ways - to make us happy.  We can all improve on the stuff we collect.  Sam is still young, but I want him to see that we need to be satisfied with what we have.  Thankful.  So we can have happy hearts.

My yard sale yesterday was a lot of hard work.  Even having "stuff" right inside the front door and carrying it all out is quite an effort!  I sold things for almost nothing - some to help people out and some because I did not want to have to bring it back into my house!  Will took a good truck load to donate.  And I have been sorting some of what is left for another yard sale with friends next week.  I love getting rid of stuff.  I love making a little money.  But I also love giving things away.  I have some friends who want to pay too much to bless me. But I want them to get a lot of stuff they may need so I can bless them.  That is a great problem to have!

So for right now, I will let Sam enjoy his big brother's trophies.  And I will keep teaching him and trying to show him how to be content with what we have.  And to trust God to provide what we need.  I was just talking about how nice it would be to have plenty of money and not have to worry about bills - mostly medicine and medical in our family.  But then, I have to trust God more when the numbers don't all add up in our favor.  And He provides every time.  Every single time.  And that is a blessing to know and experience.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

He certainly will provide all of our needs. And that will keep us closer to Him and not as dependent on anything in this world.  That we are just passing through.  I want to lay up treasures in Heaven.  And that does not mean things.  That means being a light so other people will learn about Him and know Him and accept Him as the Savior of the world.  I keep trying to get to the place where I say confidently, "Whatever it takes, Lord.  Please use me."

Thanks for reading!