Are you a season hopper?

 

Are you a season hopper? (I don't know if that's a real term, but it's one I made up for this post.) What's a season hopper, you may ask, I believe it's someone who lives from one season or holiday to the next. They get geared up for one and as soon as it passes, they're working on readying themselves for another. As they do, they often face a myriad of emotions. There's sadness at the passing of the last event and there's excitement or joy at the one coming. Why do we do this? 

 

I think commercialism has a lot to do with it. We are bombarded by "stuff" each time we shop. Take Hobby Lobby, for instance, it's one of my favorite stores but sometimes I don't like going in there. For example, on my most recent visit, all the Christmas items were on clearance and they already had Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day things out. Not only do I find all the seasonal items overwhelming, but sometimes I wonder why people feel compelled to buy those types of decorations every year. I'll admit, I used to do it, but not anymore. 

 

Before our last move, I took on a minimalist lifestyle. I gave away so many things it was unreal. And I didn't even realize how much I had to give away until I started doing it. What friends or family didn't want, I donated. Everything was in great shape, it's just I didn't want to feel encumbered by stuff anymore. But now that we're in our new home, I've noticed I'm accumulating again, little by little, my stuff is starting to regrow...

 

The Bible says in Matthew 6:19-21:

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Those verses speak volumes and remind us that whatever people value most will guide their actions and capture their hearts. It's a promise and a warning that people's values and priorities have a powerful influence on their inner lives. 

 

I don't want to be a season hopper wanting or needing to "keep up with the Joneses." So, I've made a decision (and this goes along with my impression to begin living more frugally that I shared in an earlier post) I won't be buying any more seasonal holiday decor. If I don't already have it on hand and can't come up with a way to craft it on my own, using materials I already have on hand, then tough! I'm sure I'll manage to move right on by without regret. 

 

Last night, as we were sitting around the fire watching a movie, I glanced around the room. I'd already taken down the Christmas decorations and had put everything back in place. From our open floor plan, I could see the foyer, the living room, our informal dining room, and the kitchen. In those rooms alone was a lot of "stuff." I liked my "stuff" and felt I'd done a good job at decorating my home to be not only welcoming to friends and family, but pleasing to my husband and I. That's when the thought hit...what if Jesus came back that night? Would I miss one single thing in my house? No! And as I looked at our blazing fire in the fireplace, I thought of the people in California who've lost almost all of their material possessions - what if I'd been one of those people who had to flee my home or lose my life? Would I have grabbed something material in haste? Yes, I'd have to say yes. But the only thing I'd have wanted would have been my Bible. It's got years and years of notes in it and is full of a lifetime of tears. But if there hadn't been time, I'd have left it knowing I could buy another at some point. The only thing that would really matter to me would be that my husband and I were able to escape danger and still have our lives. 

 

Yes, the holiday/seasonal decorations are pretty. They do often bring happiness and joy, but when they become burdensome, they need to go. You don't need that "stuff" to look forward to change in your life. 

 

One last Scripture for you - Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Happiness doesn't come from outward things, it comes from an inner contentment with the Lord. And when you have that, joy overflows from your spirit. And you don't have to spend a dime for that.