Beep Beep Beep Beep – go the cash registers. In chapter 5 King Solomon continues, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them.”
I get up from my seat to get a refill on my drink – the lines have grown quite long – beep beep beep beep – the cash registers all play in unison.
“And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them. The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.”
I look out the window and watch as men, women, young and old walk out of the store with overflowing carts – beep beep beep beep – the people continue to flood in through the doors.
Who am I to judge I think? I can see one mother with a baby carrier and diapers. Those certainly are necessary. Who am I to judge? I see another family carrying a bag – the bag is clear and I can see the letters W – i – i . What a blessing – their family now has a Wii – I bet those children are going to have a ball when they get home!!!
Oh what a blessed nation we are!!! Or are we? Have we realized that this is all meaningless? Have we realized how much work we have made for ourselves trying to organize all of our STUFF! We buy bins, shelves, hooks, and baskets just to try to manage all of this stuff!
I sit back in my chair and just ponder for a minute – and the noise of the beep beep beep beep sound has grown terribly distracting and annoying! I cross reference over to Proverbs and read chapter 23:5. “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky line an eagle.”
Are riches stable? I think about what is happening on Wall Street and Main Street and in our Capital right now. For many, their life savings or retirement just grew wings and flew away. So many have lost so much! All that hard work and labor – gone… meaningless. Beep Beep Beep Beep – the registers continue their song.
What do we do? The book of Ecclesiastes comes to a close with 3 conclusions. Chapter 12 tells us: 1.) “Fear God” 2.) “Keep God’s commandments” and 3) be prepared for judgement day because “God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
I read a challenge on another blog that I want to bring to you – I challenge you to try to use every single thing you own in your house this month! What? Did you just say – “It’s not possible.” Me too. What are we teaching our children? Are we fearing God and keeping his commands in America? Are we ready for judgment day?
Beep beep beep beep – the registers continue to sing their chorus. I sense the Holy Spirit urging me – do not pursue stuff – pursue God.
Walk with the King,
I found silicone muffin liners and use them as dividers in reusable containers. I have found lots of fun little containers at the Dollar Store and the Target Dollar Spot. Typically, I make a sandwich and then cut it into a shape with a large cookie cutter, like a pumpkin or maple leaf for Fall. They usually take fruit or veggies and dip, this one is made with peanut butter and maple syrup. I make little fruit skewers with berries, grapes, melon, or kiwi on toothpicks and you can use small cookie cutters for cucumbers or cheese slices.Yogurt covered raisins and natural applesauce with sprinkles are popular too. 
About once a week I send along a special little note about something they have been doing good or just about how much I love them. Recently I was cleaning out my daughter’s closet and found ALL the notes I had sent in her lunch last year so I know they treasure those. They also tell me how the other kids at school talk about their lunch and how fun it is. It does take some extra time and planning but it is worth the smile on their faces!
Maybe this will give you a few ideas of fun things you can do special for your children! My kids LOVE it when I use a cookie cutter for their sandwiches or cut small shapes in their slices of cheese – I haven’t tried to cut my cucumbers in shapes yet – but this post is inspiring me! It’s hard to find the time to do this daily – but it’s fun every now and then to spice things up a little!
