It has been a huge blessing to have discovered the Wheaton College co-op - a place where college students donate their unwanted, or no longer needed clothes and household items. Students are then welcome to help themselves to the goods at no charge. I have been encouraged that our Heavenly Father really does know our needs before we even ask and that we don't have to worry about His provision.
We've also discovered that the good citizens of Wheaton host marvellous yard sales, and we've picked up some tremendous like-new bargains. We've picked up kids clothes - including a pristine Nathan-sized Ralph Lauren polo shirt for $2, beautiful toys, books and even a Sony television. It's been like God has known our needs (and even our wants) and has supplied everything for loose pocket change. A perfect example of this was when Clayton had only just been saying that he'd really like to buy for the boys an air-hockey/games table. Then what do you know? - we happen on a fabulous kid-sized games table complete with fuze-ball, air-hockey, snooker, table tennis and a myriad of other games all in perfect condition. The owners even sold it to us for less than they wanted when they heard that we were from Australia, studying at Wheaton. The aquisition of this games table was a beautiful reminder that God loves to give His kids good gifts.
Last weekend, there was an 'Estate' sale, where there were agents contracted to sell everything from the linen and appliances, to the house and car! We ventured out to this stately home, where I had to slip on booties over my shoes to protect the floor from being scratched. It was an impressive home and the owners had obviously had an eye for finer things. Everything was in like-mint condition and it was ALL for sale! What a comfortable life these people had lived however, there was a tangible sadness over the premises. Sympathy quickly set in when I ventured upstairs and saw the clean, pressed clothes of a middle-aged gentleman all neatly laid out for sale. Turns out that the owner of the home had fallen from a ladder and although 'lucky' to be alive, was now living bed-ridden in a care facility.
Not to say that bad things don't happen to good people, (the owner was probably highly regarded, probably even Christian); and not to say that there is anything inherently wrong in living in a beautiful home... it's just that the whole experience served as a harsh reminder that money can not buy happiness - not even health. I wondered how he had spent the best years of his life. Had he worried about storing up the earthly treasures that were now being sold to help pay for his health care? I was again reminded of that passage in Matthew chapter 6, where Jesus talks about not storing up treasures on earth, but instead, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.
I know that many people are struggling with the rising costs of living, but I hope that our story can be an encouragement to you that God we do not have to worry. Here's an excerpt from Matthew 6.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Parents: Australian, award winning author Pamela Allen has a picture book called 'Herbert and Harry' (also published under the title, 'Hidden Treasure') which perfectly communicates this message to children.
"Allen's book presents a discerning look into the meaning of "treasure." Herbert and Harry are brothers who enjoy being together until they discover a treasure chest while fishing. The ensuing rift over ownership leaves Harry swimming for shore and Herbert escaping with the treasure. Herbert's concern over the treasurethat Harry or someone else will find it turns the find into a lifelong burden as he searches for an impenetrable hideout so he can sleep without worry. His is a life of constant vigilance, while Harry, who "had no treasure," is surrounded by plump grandchildren and is "always able to sleep soundly." Allen's vibrant line-and-wash color illustrations show page after page of Herbert's burgeoning problems and then, with one revelatory picture of Harry, shows how the brother's paths have drastically diverged. "
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