Christian Living
TOYS
By: Donna Haug
June 6, 2003
Have you ever heard this phrase: “The only difference between a man and a boy is the price of his toys?” You don’t believe it?? Check this out:
Teething rings and mobiles
Jumbo building blocks and tricycles
Dirt bikes and scooters
Old beater cars and camping gear
Nice compact cars and lawn mowers
Mini-vans and riding lawn mowers
Large comfortable cars and golf clubs
See what I mean?
My husband, Mark, is an avid outdoorsman, adventurer, 4x4, MacGyver type. I’ve always said I was a creationist until I watched the evolution of Mark’s truck. It has gone from a simple 4x4, double cab pick-up truck to gradual additions of a canopy, roof rack, beefed up suspension, winch, custom bumper (to hold the winch), outlets to plug in our small T.V. and VCR (which he takes from our living room) for those long trips with the kids, and a self-contained projection system (complete with a screen that mounts on the winch plate)! The most recent step in its evolution is the addition of a roof top tent. Now, I have no doubt that ALL of this will get a great workout in our missions work here in Africa, but I have a great time teasing Mark about his “toy”.
Do our “toys”, hobbies and pass times have value in the long run? Sure they do – particularly when we use them to invest in relationship building. Mark often asks one of our children to help him as he “tinkers” on his truck. During his travels, anyone sleeping in that rooftop tent with him will have no choice but to build a “close” relationship (with the added bonus of protection from malaria-carrying mosquitoes). Thousands have already been blessed by watching the “Jesus” film projected from the “Mark-mobile”. Mozambican roads will be sure to offer the opportunity to try out the winch sooner or later!
But, as in all things, our key must be moderation. We cannot get so caught up on our own pleasure and entertainment every spare minute that we have no time left for God, our family, the needy around us, the friend who is lonely or the single mom who is going through a hard time.
God, help us keep our eyes focused. Help us be careful to spend our time and resources wisely. We cannot take our “toys” with us when we stand before your throne. Give us wisdom to invest in PEOPLE with YOUR love so that one day we will hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”
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Very good reminder to us all. Thank you
This is very true, but there are some "toys" that I hope the Lord will let me keep, at least on Earth. Just to clear up one thing, though: You say "I have not doubt". I think this might flow easier if you say "I have no doubt". Just an idea, otherwise very good article.
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