Two Saturdays ago, we were able to remove one thing from our lives: my glass topped desk. It was a dramatic event. The sheet of glass that was the table top shattered into millions of pieces. I was pretty stunned (where to begin cleaning it up?). After all the shards were cleaned up, I realized how nice it is to have one less thing around: less clutter, one less thing to take care of, a mildly more simple life. Is this an instance of sour grapes? I don’t think so.
Today with excellent detail-oriented help, the mountains of clothes from size 6 months to 4T were sorted, organized and some were set aside for donation. That was a huge relief and it showed me again how much stuff we have.
It reminded me of an update I read from a missionary. The family serves in a part of the world where “poor” in the US is “rich” by local standards. The husband wrote about what he’s learned about material wealth. One insight was especially good: stop thinking of yourself as poor. How easy it is to complain and long for the things that others have. The simple fact that you are reading this post indicates that you have access to electricity, technology and education–just to name a few. Be thankful to God and instead of complaining about lacking, give generously.
The shattering of glass was a good wake up call. Hopefully I can learn the lesson without breaking anything else.
27/05/2008 at 9:42 pm Permalink
hey k, my computer is getting repaired so I don’t have your email address. can you email me? i have a question about finding a chinese speaking christian nanny. thanks!
27/05/2008 at 10:53 pm Permalink
How did the desk shatter? Will I be disoriented when I come over now?
28/05/2008 at 11:24 am Permalink
Steve, little k had been shaking the desk and must have moved it toward the window. Later, I was sitting at the computer when O spilled a full cup of milk. As I jumped up to try to stop the flow, the desk must have hit the window casing. It was quite a scene: shattered glass, spilled milk, kids sitting on stools in the middle of the mess.
I doubt you’d be disoriented but the “feel” of the kitchen is a bit different.
28/05/2008 at 5:26 pm Permalink
Were you able to wheel it out for trash day? And they picked it up? It must have been pretty noisy when they crunched that desk up!
28/05/2008 at 6:14 pm Permalink
Wendy, yup, we just rolled the remains of the desk along with a box of broken glass. Our town takes furniture at the curb so it was nothing out of the ordinary. I didn’t get to see them collect my desk though. I’ve seen the garbage collector pick up a wooden dining table and toss it in the truck as if it was a pizza box.
28/05/2008 at 7:42 pm Permalink
just as an add-on from our conversation on Monday night… I just found this article.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/05/28/usairways.snacks.ap/index.html
So maybe if you’re avoiding AA, you should avoid US Airways, too.
Sadness.
28/05/2008 at 8:10 pm Permalink
Jess, well it is sad that there are no more snacks on US Airways. Though I think I’d rather give up snacks than have to pay to check my luggage.