Over the last two and half years my brother and I have dealt
with two sick parents, who have both passed away. Dad left us in May to join Mom in
heaven. In mid July my brother and I
held an estate sale at our parent’s home.
It was a difficult weekend for the both of us but we learned some
important lessons.
*If you don’t move for over 50 plus years, you gather a lot
of stuff.
*You never discard a book of a person from the Depression
era because you never know what might be tucked inside it.
*There is no need to keep every scrap of paper, church
bulletin, Cool Whip bowl or plastic butter container.
*Never put scraps of wood and metal in the attic.
My list could go on and on but I will not burden you with
it.
My brother and I would open boxes, closets, and drawers and
be amazed that the “stuff” our Depression era parents kept. They could reuse old Ziplock bags and tin
foil better that anyone I can imagine.
However, one lesson my brother and I did learn during the
estate sell that will stick with us always,
When we looked around the house, garage, and patio at the accumulated
items, we shook our heads and said, “It’s just stuff.”
What we took away from our childhood home were the memories. We were raised by godly parents who saw the
importance of having us in church. Many
parents today allow their children to choose if they want to be in church. No, if your children are under eighteen and
live in your house, you should make church a priority.
Our parents instilled us a work ethic. If you want to purchase an item, save for
it. Today too many people buy what they
want when they want it and get deeper in debt.
Today many children believe they need it all now. Teach your children to be proud of working
and earning material possessions.
Last, our parents taught us that loving people is the
greatest gift you can give to someone.
Bake a cake for a hurting friend.
Visit with your neighbors. Show
kindness to random strangers. Why,
because you may be the only Jesus they see.
In the end, our houses will be full of “stuff.” However, what will your children remember
most? Will they be able to look around
the house and say “It’s just stuff?”
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