MINE MINE MINE!

Many of my friends have very young children - under the ages of 7-8 - and their stories remind me of when my two boys were that age. They were of course, totally adorable - but they also were very selfish. Toys, bedrooms, food....all came with an imaginary boundary of what belonged to who and if the line was crossed, the battle cry of "Mine!" was heard throughout the land.

Not much has changed - as my youngest son has his last semester at college, he is moving into an unfurnished apartment. Read: "I have nothing so I need all my stuff from home here."

A quick disclaimer for the protection of the innocent: He is a caring, loving and very giving son.

Back to the point.

It got me thinking. Really? YOUR stuff? Who bought this stuff? Who hauled the stuff in the house? Who took the time to work and earn the money to buy this stuff? Who drove to the various and asundry places to get the stuff?

But then, I did the exact same thing when I moved from home. I wanted to take all my stuff with me. My parents explained that is was not my stuff. It was theirs....hmmm...I get it now!

Or do I. Even now, I lay claim to things that are not mine at all. Although I see/experience them everyday. My house, car, furniture - sure I bought them but they are so temporary, why do I sometimes have a personal attachment to the stuff?

Then comes people - my family, my children, my friends. Do I control them? Do I "buy" them?
Seems like just when I get stuck in the "Mine debate" -God reminds me there is only one "mine" - I am HIS. As my Pastor, Mike Lee, has said - It ALL belongs to GOD!

Great reminder when I look at the children - young or young adult - around me and then myself...I really don't own anything. Good thing. FREEDOM!