My wife has been on a purging kick lately. Going through all our old junk and deciding what to keep and what to discard. Personally I’m in favor of it. We defiantly have way too much stuff! So far she’s filled six garbage bags full of stuff. And that’s just from our closet. She has the kitchen and basement yet to go!
What this has got me thinking about is that there are few things that clutter my house that I couldn’t live without. The most precious things sleep right next to me and across the hall. In this season of giving and getting it makes sense to take stock and be grateful for what you’ve been given. And for me at least that goes way beyond just the material. The miracle of our baby girl has had me in a giddy state of gratitude since July and here it is almost December and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
I guess what I’m saying is this: All too often we focus on what we don’t have. What we’ve been denied. And some of thosse things we may even need. But most of us, at least if we’re honest, have been given much, and have much to be thankful for. And if we fail to see that, then we rob ourselves of something profound. Joy. You see I think there’s a link between joy and gratitude. The more grateful you are the more joy you experience. Have a lack of Joy? Maybe Gratitude is a good place to start? My daughter Katie taught me that.
