Stuff Sickness

Sometimes I get sick because of stuff. Not literally, but my values get thrown off. Last night we were on the way home from Paige's birthday party (Sherri's sister's 2 year old) and Hannah stated that she felt sick and was going to throw up and next thing we knew, she was puking in the van. It was all over her clothes, her seat, the floor, the back of Sherri's seat, and then the smell started wafting my way. Sherri had turned around and was trying to comfort a balling Hannah and I was boiling on the inside. I was thinking about how much work it would be to get the puke out of the carpet in the van, the likely long night we had ahead of us, and how put out I was because of the stink that was invading my nostrils. We got home much more quickly than I would have anticipated (someone throwing up in the car tends to encourage one to go slightly over the speed limit), and got Hannah into the bathtub and I began cleaning out the car and throwing stuff away. As I cleaned I got more upset. We have a nice van and now there is puke all over it. As I muttered some choice words under my breath Sherri came out and we finished cleaning together.

Later, I came to my senses, and I started thinking about how I react in situations where my stuff is wronged. I get upset because I feel wronged and usually, it's not really that big of deal. The thing is, I often get confused about my place in this world (slight Michael W. Smith reference, sorry). I see myself as the owner rather than the steward. When that happens, the value on that which is in my life becomes skewed. Suddenly, the van that I own, which is not going to last very long anyway, momentarily displaces my daughter who is infinitely more valuable. God's design for me is that I am his steward, he is the owner. Of course I've known this, actually, I've preached this, but in the moment, I forget this.

When things are focused, and I remember my place things change. I am no longer as concerned about my stuff that I "own." It becomes about investing in what matters as a steward. What's more valuable of investment -- the van or Hannah? Obvious answer.

Last night, take two... Last night, as we were coming home from Paige's birthday party, Hannah got sick in the car and threw up all over God's van. We raced home and got Hannah cleaned up and then Sherri and I, as God's stewards, cleaned up His van.