Trapper Keepers

I was in Target the other day. A place sometimes I spend far too much time. (and money. Oy!) After getting through my list I wandered over to the Halloween costumes and decorations and peaked at the new Christmas items already stocked and ready for the season. But just behind these bright and shiny new displays was the good old stuff. The cheapo clearance stuff. This time of year it's the school supplies. Bratz backpacks and lunchboxes. Index cards and student planners. Notebook paper and Trapper Keepers.

I paused as I looked at the Trapper Keepers.

If you, like me, are a product of the 80's, you too remember these wonderful creations. I always had wanted one of those. I remember in the 5th grade wanting one. And I remember my mom having me read the school supply list where it said "NO TRAPPER KEEPERS!" but yet I still wanted one. Because even though the list said we couldn't have them most all of the kids had them. And having one was going to be it, I would be content once I had that crazy looking thing.

I never had a Trapper Keeper but I ended up ok. (In my honest, ever so humble opinion.) But standing in front of those canvas/vinyl covered folder/binder thingy's I was struck with this awe of the understanding of desire.

I remember that desire like I wanted one yesterday because sometimes I will feel that way about something particular I see in a store or magazine or online. Something I think I have to have, I can not live without and this will be it, once I have this I am complete. But that is rarely the case, material things seem to pacify for a moment but new desires rise up again quickly.

Even just the other night, I saw a shirt I loved and knew it would be perfect to wear to an upcoming family event. But the $70 price tag detoured me. I did not need it but I wanted it. I drooled over it in the same way I did as a 5th grader over a Trapper Keeper.

Yet, I left the store empty handed and remembered that I have other things in my closet that will do just fine.

Our culture and society is so full of gimme, gimme, gimme. We are so spoiled by what we have and can do and afford. Yet we take so much of it for granted and are never satisfied.

Though it is hard to remember and keep in perspective I know that things are just things and won't matter down the road.

For none of it will go with us.

So today I am going to do something crazy and oh-so-copycat of Oprah and share what I am thankful for this week. Instead of what I want or wish for or desire, what I am truly thankful for, and I am going to pray for contentment in what I have and what I do and what I am.

It is far from complete but these are my gratitudes in this moment:

I am thankful for my husband. My family. Henry, Tyler, Madison, my parents, my sisters. My friends, both far and near. My health. My home. My job. My love of life and joy in many circumstances. My faith and the journey of my faith. My education....

What about you? Do you resonate with the need to feel gratitude? What are you content in?

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Newly married, new apartment All our furniture was saved from
the dump Yes dear maybe we can afford a trashcan next month All I need is my
love for you and a seat for two New baby new life We will teach him to speak
French We’ve got no money so we’ll make it all ourselves I’ll make the curtains
and you make the shelves All I need is a power saw and a new sewing machine
Honey, this house needs a little something That bare mantle doesn’t look so good
Someone told me of a man Who makes animals from driftwood All I need is your
monthly bonus for a wooden walrus Honey, the Colbaughs are coming over This
house needs some renovationsJ ust a wall or two, just a little room And a few
new decorations All I need is a sectional and a satellite TVand dark-wood
cabinets that were custom built for me and a painting by that guy that paints
with his feet...That’s all I need For now

-Sara Groves ALL I NEED