That is a question that I have had to ask myself lately. As I mentioned previously, after 29 years in the same house, my wife and I are moving in order to do two things: be nearer kids and grandkids, and to downsize. Moving closer to family is easy. Downsizing – that has been a challenge. The question is – what should I keep?
I have a few “collectables” – like Star Trek action figures, M & M dispensers, and Bert and Ernies, from Sesame Street. I like those. But I have (now it would be “had”) too many of them. As I was pondering what to keep and what to sell or give-a-way, my wife asked me a piercing question – “If something happened to me, who would want those things?” Occasionally the answer was one of the kids or grandkids. But most often the answer was clearly “nobody.”
So, there were many things that were sold as well as donated – and this was a good thing. But, as I get older, and a few steps closer to heaven, the question of “What should I keep?” becomes more relevant.
My Bert and Ernies don’t make the cut. But my life experiences with my wife, kids, grandkids, and friendships, are certainly worthy of hanging on to. Even more important is my faith that comes from knowing the Living God. This is critical to keep. This is critical for eternity.
Evaluating our lives and deciding what to keep is a healthy exercise as it may give us clarity as to what it truly important. While I can’t take Star Trek figures into eternity, I have a faith that is unshakeable that will see me into the life that is to come,