WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 MY CHRISTMAS LIST - III

 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 - MY CHRISTMAS LIST - PART III

This week leading up to Christmas, I’ve been giving my Christmas Wish List.  Monday was Honor your parents and elderly; Tuesday was love not hate; today, don’t be jealous, don’t covet.

I’ve been using the Ten Commandments as part of my wish list - so today combining two: You shall not covet; You shall not commit adultery.

I really want things - wouldn’t it be nice to have a new car, but not just any new car - a new Tesla.  (And, not just any Tesla - but a top of the line Tesla)

Then I could park it in front of my new house.  Well, not a real, brand-new house (they are boring - no trees, no grass), but an established house - with trees, grass, a garden, shutters (I can paint them a light pink later), at least three bedrooms, at least two-and-one-half baths, a family room, a patio, wrap-around porch, in a well-established neighborhood.  (And, no poor neighbors around either - just well-off professional people.  And, because I’m so nice, there can be a few non-white professional neighbors as well).

Then - a cabin at a lake - not just a fishing cabin, but a real cabin that I could live in year-round (although I would only use it on weekends).  Maybe with a fishing boat (although I don’t fish, it would look good at a dock on the lake), and a speed boat.  I could invite my friends out to go waterskiing, and I could impress them with my cabin, and my boat.  

*****

Humans have unlimited wants, but limited incomes.  

I really want <that>

I have to have <that>

If I can’t have <that>, I’ll die

I lust after <that>

I must have <that>

I am consumed with desire for <that>

Coveting - the wanting of something so much that we’d do almost anything to get it.  Of course, Biblically the example is King David.  He saw Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop (I’m not sure how they bathed in those days, but it seems like it really caused David to lust after her.  

So, he arranged for her to come to his palace - and he had sex.  And, she got pregnant. And she was married to one of David’s officers.  And, David - as King was able to put Bathsheba’s husband in the front of the battle and pulled back his other troops so Uriah was killed.

In effect, David wanted Bathsheba so bad, he committed adultery, he found a way to get her husband to get killed.  After all, he was King - and was such a great king - so faithful to God - one little action like this would be okay, wouldn’t it?

*****

I know I’m getting older and that I don’t have as many years left to live.  I also know there were times when I was younger that I did really want/desire/lusted after things.  I even looked at ladies with lust in my heart (gasp).  Fortunately, I never made such a relationship. (Too fearful of God???) 

This week I’m writing about “My Christmas List”.  No one has asked me what I want for Christmas, and to be honest, I’m not sure what I might answer?  Whatever it might be, it would be trivial.  I think I’d like a mincemeat pie for Christmas.  I think I’d like my teeth to be fixed.  (And - more serious, I’d like to lose 15 pounds!!  They just have added on.)

What I like I generally can get.  What is too expensive, I don’t even consider.  I am a frugal shopper - but I “MUST” have butter.  But butter has to be put on something.  Bread, English Muffins, even Bagels are just delivery means for butter.  I even have soft tortilla shells that I can put butter and some peanut butter and jelly on for a snack.  (Now, do you understand why I’d like to lose 15 pounds).  

Do I want a new phone?  Not really - my old phone is okay (iPhone 7 and there have been lots of upgrades since then).  A new tuba?  Nope.  My old one will keep me happy until it gives out and I stop playing.  New teeth - actually that is in the work - not that I ‘lusted’ after having false teeth, but butter, peanut butter, cookies, jelly have taken a toll in the long run.  

Recently, I’ve been trying to be more generous - and really trying to be 100% in my faith.  Cheap Karen wants to hold back funds, but saving for a rainy day isn’t being faithful (at least in my viewpoint).

*****

Really, all this third day of my Christmas list is this:

Don’t go crazy wanting things - things don’t satisfy - love wins - and love satisfies.  

I have a lot of friends, maybe I want a few more real close friends for my Christmas list.  

I don’t want to covet my neighbor’s things.  I don’t want to covet my neighbor’s wife.  

I’m learning even more to be content with what I have.  Not a bad place to be.

LOVE WINS - and I’m working on making that true.  

One more day of my Christmas wish list tomorrow.  Then Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Next week, I’ll do a little reminiscing of 2021 and thoughts for 2022!!

LOVE DOES WIN!!

Karen