So. Much. Stuff.

by Marlee Robertson

I caught a few episodes of American Pickers while sitting in a waiting room several weeks ago. American Pickers is a TV show about a couple of guys that travel around the country looking for antiques to buy from dealers/collectors. I’m not sure it is what the producers intended, but it’s an entertaining look at human behavior and motivation. It was fascinating to see what people see as valuable and the lengths they will go to keep their treasures. I listened, slack-jawed, to a guy talk about the debt he was in because he added on to his house to keep all his Elvis memorabilia (or whatever it was, might have been bobble-head dolls, not sure). He changed the way he and his family live their actual day to day life, to accommodate his stuff. As one of the stars of the show said, “he was drunk on junk.”

As I start a new year, like many of us, I like to cleanout. Usually, that means drawers and cupboards, maybe a fresh coat of paint on something. But I can’t shake the feeling that, more than anything, my mind and heart need cleaning out. In my life, I have collected more than my share of junk and in some instances, I changed the way I lived my actual day to day life to accommodate my stuff. Thoughts about God that are not accurate, actions toward others that are not loving, feelings about myself that are not helpful. And this is the shortlist. I am not much different from the collector of thousands of Elvis-bobble-headed-some-thing-or-anothers, collecting things that have no purpose or value.

So, my desire to collect what is worthwhile and good begins (again). The beautiful thing is that God is ready and waiting (again) to be my faithful, gentle guide. 

I hope in this new year you can take some time to look at what you’ve collected, thoughts, feelings, motivations. What, if any, are not serving you, or the people in your life, well? What is God asking of you in this season? You can trust Him.

Faithful God,

Thank you for the hope of this new year. I ask that you clean my heart and mind of the junk that no longer serves me. Help me to become more like Jesus, holy and human. Show me what is worthwhile and good. Help me desire what you desire. For my good and Your Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Marlee Robertson

Christian Education Director

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