My most precious luxury

Audrey Carli

As I rode past the lovely new homes in the elegant part of the city, I remembered how I had once longed for one of those abodes. However, my attitude had changed. Why was I now content with my present home? It was only a fraction of the size of the new ones. The kitchen was too small. The one-car garage was narrow.

I reached the mall and parked in the lot, still pondering my current contentment. Once I would have paused to gaze at the glittering diamonds in the jewellery store windows. Now I passed them by.

The clothing stores also no longer held the allure they once did.

I recalled the early days of my marriage and the fun of shopping for furniture. The lush upholstery, thick carpeting, fine wood tables and chairs had made me yearn: "Someday I'll have all the furniture on my wish list."

I also remembered the time I finally bought that new coat I'd been wanting for a long time. And the time I finally obtained that newer car. And the time I was able to surprise my husband with a new suit without breaking our budget. And the time we were finally able to go out for dinner with friends without worrying whether we could pay the bill.

I learned that the new coat's allure didn't last long. It was warm enough for our cold winters, but I'd been sure that coat would keep me happy for months. Soon I asked myself: "Why did I think that coat would be the answer to my searching need?"

The same feeling came after obtaining each item purchased. "The excitement certainly doesn't last long," I thought.

Then, one evening, my husband and I were adding up our household expenses. With four growing children, costs were increasing, and our money wasn't stretching as far as it had.

Instead of being dismayed, my husband said, "We must discipline our spending. I was feeling turmoil when we were able to buy more freely. Wasn't it nice when we were first married and our entertainment was taking a long walk in nature?"

"I miss that, too," I said, surprised that we both clung to simple joys that didn't necessarily require spending.

And so we began again to pursue our long walks. One afternoon, we packed our lunch and drove to a wooded area. After enjoying a picnic lunch on the truck tailgate, we began to hike. We spotted an eagle, a beaver dam, fish swimming in a clear stream, and a graceful, brownish-red deer. That day ended with Dave and me feeling very appreciative of the things money cannot buy, the simple pleasures of daily life.

That day also marked the beginning of five years of almost daily hikes together. Each time we enjoyed an outing, we said, "How good is God! Look at the gifts He has given us!"

Yes, we do need clothing, furniture, cars and other necessities, but material items do not bring contentment. Inner peace comes from God. The Apostle Paul said clearly in Philippians 4:12,13: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Christ is the answer, just as He was when Paul wrote those words. My most precious luxury is Christ and the peace He gives in daily living.

Audrey Carli is a freelance writer in Stambaugh, Mich.

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