Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Space (01/23/06)
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TITLE: A SPACE FOR MY STUFF | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rita Gibson
01/27/06 -
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One day, as I sat amongst my living room strewn with the remains of Christmas decorations I had taken down, my mind was overwhelmed with confusion of where to put all the new "Stuff" I had. There wasn't room left to put anything, I thought. The closets were filled to the max, the garage stored many plastic boxes containing things I some day promised to use or display when more room was available. Things I darest not throw away or get rid of for the sentimental meaning they held. I was swarmed with many things and stuff. All these things and stuff brought back many happy memories. Why did I suddenly feel so alone?
My mind went back to the beginning of my marriage when there wasn't much stuff and things, also when the children were small and the joy that ran through our home. We had only the essentials in possessions but we were happy knowing God provided us with all our needs. We always had company coming over and always time for a cup of coffee or tea with a neighbor. Sometimes we'd chat for hours and many sessions better than sitting on a psychiatrist's couch. You always knew there was someone who cared to make time for you and you for them.
My husband would come in from work always so glad to be home and a place of refuge for after school kids. I made extra money selling cosmetics or babysitting which left us enough to buy a few extras.
How did things and stuff become important? Why did I hold on to memories so hard? Why was yesterday better than today, I thought as a tear dripped down my cheek? What was I going to do with the zillions of things I'd never use or add anything to my life? Was I given up on making memories just because my children have grown? All these things I've stored over the years in my house and collected were suffocating me and have become my little world. It seemed the more I had aquired materially, the more I've shoved people out of my life. People I've met recently and not too recently have only become aquaintences and not friends. I mentally made up reasons why I didn't want them to be too close to me. "She's not my type of friend, she's selfish, she's boring, she talks to much." These were just some of the reasons I made up in my head to keep them at bay. But...I got my stuff and things and no one is going to steal my space. I needed my own space, and I got it. Needless to say, this is not God's way. If it was, I'd be happy. I wasn't.
One room at a time I went through my stuff and things and decided to share it with my children and some to charitable organizations. The more I gave away the freer I felt. Gradually I started becoming friendly toward others at church and in my neighborhood. I made a lot of extra space in my house but also in my heart to store the treasures that I'd have in heaven. Welcome to my space.
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