I have been thinking about shopping lately. Materialism surrounds us. We don’t even recognize it anymore. We weren’t created for this.
After the glow of owning an expensive purse or raincoat or wristwatch wears off, it’s just a purse or a raincoat or wristwatch. And you are still you, trudging through slush. Your life will not change, except that you will be more in debt to a credit card company.
Owning things–even beautiful things–will not give you peace of mind. Consumer goods will not prevent the loss of people you love. New stuff will not shield you from feeling not good enough or attractive enough or successful enough.
What will give you peace of mind? Faith in something or someone bigger than you. Making a difference by helping others. Doing something you really believe in and spending quality time with people you love. Having experiences that open your mind, your imagination, and your heart. Let this be our Advent: a season of reflection and silence and preparation and hope.
This message is excerpted from “What brings you peace of mind?” by Kate Elliott from the December 5, 2019, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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