Robert and I are hosting quite a few people in our home over the next few days. You know what that means, right? I’m dusting and straightening and pretty much spending more time in every room than I ever do. Ha! But as I have been venturing from space to space, one thought has been overwhelming my mind, and I thought I might share it with you today.

There’s a lot of emphasis placed on stuff. What do you do with your stuff? How much is too much stuff? Do we really need stuff? You need a certain degree of stuff. What did Jesus say about stuff? How much stuff do you giveaway? And…the list goes on and on, right? It’s a bit overwhelming. I don’t have as much stuff as there is talk about stuff.

But I do have stuff.

I live in a fairly large (rental) home, have furniture and an extra bed and decorations and a host of other things that would fall into the stuff category. Not essential to have a palm tree throw pillow, but I have it. Because I have stuff. I’m an American. I have a lot of stuff. But I have a lot of stuff that has meaning.

As I was walking around my living room this morning, I couldn’t help but think of the meaning of stuff in my life. A clock that reminds me of every precious soul I love at the East Hill congregation 500 miles away from me. A picture over the fireplace given to us by one of those special couples that we love. Furniture that was given to us by my dad in hand-me-down style that has been such a huge blessing to us for the last 3.5 years. Flowers from a best friend’s wedding, and my own wedding, but the same best friend tied them and made them look beautiful. A chair given to us by a couple from North Charleston who didn’t really know us at all when they gave it to us, but will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Laundry detergent and garbage bags that I haven’t even had to buy (and we’ve lived here 6 months!) because so many generous brothers and sisters donated them to us when we moved here. A quilt my great-grandmother put together. A chair that was too big for us to bring home in a Prius so we were able to borrow (for the 50^th time!) someone else’s truck and time and gas. And really, the list goes on and on.

I am surrounded by stuff everyday, but really, I’m not. I’m surrounded by people who love me. I am surrounded by people who have taken care of me every step of the way, people who are acting as God’s hands and feet, blessing me as I do my best to serve Him. And so really, the stuff is just a placeholder for the blessing that those precious souls are in my life. The stuff is just a reminder because I can’t be around them every day. The stuff is a continual in-my-face reminder that God blesses and gives and forgives and loves and is merciful and gracious.

In 1 Timothy 6, the Scriptures don’t tell us that having money (or stuff) is the root of all evil. It’s placing the improper emphasis on the stuff that causes problems. It’s loving stuff and using people that is the problem. It’s putting stuff above God that is the problem. But seeing God in stuff, well, that’s exactly how He’s always wanted us to view it. Using stuff to bless others, that’s what we’re called to do. Not getting caught up in getting stuff or worshiping stuff, that’s what our focus needs to be.

I’m not one of those stuff-hoarder people. I had a massive purge when we moved over the summer, and it was a helpful reminder to me that stuff is just stuff, and it’s not what my life is about. Wasting my money on stuff isn’t helpful for anyone, but letting stuff bless others – that’s the key. And, letting others bless me with their stuff is needful for them, too.

I am so thankful for all of those in both my past and present who have blessed us with stuff. Whether it’s a meal that satisfies only a moment, laundry detergent that lasts for months, or a clock that continually reminds, we have been richly blessed by our God through His people. Our physical and spiritual needs have been met in an exceeding fashion, and I know that is our Great God, working through His people.

But, if I ever do start getting too stuff-centric, please rebuke me. I need the spiritual blessings much more.