I am feeling pretty good about myself about right now.  I have done my civic duty to my community & graced the aisles of the grocery store to purchase my loaf of bread & milk.  It seems there are rumors of inclement weather (when I say inclement I mean, talks of possibly a snowflake or two falling).  When I say a snowflake or two, I mean that in a literal sense.  Northeast Mississippi rarely gets snow.  But when we do, you’d better watch out.  All the folks that have four wheel drives or a vehicle, will try to be out on the road.  And mind you, we can’t drive on ice.  There is lots of things we country folks can do- make sweet tea, drive a tractor, haul hay, cut wood, put out feed for our animals, talk to Jesus, & cook food so good it will make you want to slap your mama.  But drive on ice, not so much a dandy of an idea for us.  Back to my visit to the grocery store.  If you wanted to see anybody, in particular, you would have had a good chance of running into them today at the store.  Most of the people I came into contact with did smile when I met their gaze.  Unlike before Christmas.

When I was doing Christmas shopping, nobody was smiling.  I would walk along, meet the eyes of a lady, who seemed distraught, & smile.  No smile back.  I saw a man & his wife carrying packages outside a store.  I smiled.  No smile back.  I saw another older lady that looked to have a couple of daughters, my age, with her.  Smiled at all of them & they just looked plum disgusted!  What was going on?  I thought this was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year?  Then, it hit me.  I get some of the same feelings come over me, perhaps that these shoppers did.  I get down & aggravated when I am spending a lot of time & money on things for people- that will probably be thrown to the side after a day or two.  It made me think, sometimes I think our wanters get broken.  We watch so much t.v. that has commercials of things we don’t really need, but want.  We go to stores & see things we just have to have.  Our kids go to school & see other kids with things that are a must have.  We go online & shop around on websites that have merchandise that you just can’t live without.  I will go even one further than that.  We may get so caught up in ourselves, we think possessions are the way to happiness.  That cars, houses, property, and anything else pricy you can think of, is of more value than relationships.

The apostle Paul addressed this starting in  I Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. v. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. v.8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. v. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which down men in destruction & perdition. v. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I saw the other day on the news the founder of Amazon, was on vacation aboard a cruise ship.  Mind you this is a billionaire.  He got sick, had to be airlifted off.  Taken to his private jet, where he boarded the boat & flown back to the U.S. for medical treatment.   You know what was wrong with him?  Kidney stones.  Did having all that money save his health?  Nope.

We all have been appointed a day to die.  No matter how much money we have will not matter or how much money we don’t have.  What will matter is how we spent our time while here in this world.  Were we content or in a constant struggle to get more?  We know it will be left here, when we go.  Why not focus on our relationships, living for Christ, & serving God?  Peace & contentment cannot be bought.  We have to learn to find it from the Lord.  So, next time you are out making your rounds in town, smile.  Salvation is free. No purchase necessary.  Christ paid that price for you a long time ago!

I so hope you are having a good day.  I am anxious to see if we will get some bad weather.  I remember the ice storm of 1994.  They never did see that one coming!  I hope you are toasty warm inside your cozy home while you are reading this.  As for me, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits – pinterest