Meditations on Materialism

"...Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15

Why would I start off an entry like that? Simply because I find myself always comparing, and sometimes coveting. Instead of taking that attitude I think I'd be better off to consider my lucky and blessed situation in life and be grateful. There are some times in my life when I've been overcome by that sense of thankfulness and humility, and it wasn't when we bought a new couch, or our van...although, I admit I did get that feeling at Walt Disney World. Hey, I've never claimed to be completely evolved, after all. It happened when Helena was born, when my grandmother died, when I have been at the temple or studying for my New Testament exam. I happens in nature and when I'm with family. And how true is that scripture! (I am about to refer to my grandmother again, because she is a wonderful woman but also because she's one of the few people to whom I was really close before their death.) When Grandma died, no one considered her home or her bank account. They considered HER. Her life, her service, her faithfulness, and spirit. So WHY do we waste time on developing anything else? As Hugh Nibley says, God has provided us with all that we need to live - room and board. Why spend our life working to get better room and board? Why not get going on the REAL work of life?

Partially this is all brought on by a mild case of S.A.D., partly just a realization that I'm not doing as well as I could be, and I'm causing myself a whole lot of grief comparing myself against others.

In brighter news: My sister-in-law Karalee is pregnant! We're really excited for her and Jacob and hope all is well with them. We're also preparing for the advent of several other babies in the family and we can't wait.

A few things that I am specifically grateful for tonight:

Power, so that we have heat in our home (in spite of a nasty ice/snow/wind storm)
Eyesight, to read and write this blog
Helena, who loves me unconditionally
Dan, who loves me unconditionally and even when I'm this side of the mental institution
Books, to inspire and sometimes escape
Prilosec, to save my esophagus from sure destruction
Our local library, for providing everything I could ever want for free (well, except the fines)
For our neighbors, who give us dinner and make us laugh
For the Savior, for being constantly misunderstood and criticized and taking it in stride

And for all of you, for reading this drivel.

Cheers!