because life is more than. . . .

I'm discovering that to work along side my grown children in their projects is a worthy pursuit.. . . . in July we arrived in Syracuse in time to lend a hand to Abigail & Nathaniel in their "packing up and moving out" endeavor; they're moving to London for one, maybe two years-so, how many shoes, books, essentials will fit into four suitcases?

The young couple surveyed their piles of earthly treasures and asked thoughtful questions: what is necessary for London? what to store for the future? what to throw away? what to give away to a specific whom? what to lend out for an undetemined time? (while the older couple purposed to work and restrain giving advice. . . )

So, the July work marched on: sorting, wrapping, boxing, throwing, cleaning. . . .and in the midst of the disorder, it was wonderful being together- we ate ice cream every night for a week!

Also in July, I was reading through the gospel of Luke--ahhhh, so good, and God refreshed my own perspective on earthly treasures; in Luke 12 Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who purposed to tear down his barns to build larger ones-this man, consummed with earthly wealth, spoke foolishness to his own soul (vs 19). Jesus calls him a fool, and so is every man, every woman who lays up treasure for herself and is not rich towards God-I'm compelled to examine my own heart. . .

There's a certain weightiness and distraction attached to our earthly treasures; Jesus continues encouraging me not to be anxious, ". . . for life is more than food, and the body than clothing." Interesting, isn't it- for our earthly lives do, indeed, involve food and clothing (and the enjoyment of them), however Jesus reminds me that my life is more than those things.

Pondering and applying all this is a worthy pursuit, wouldn't you say?