“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” Mark 6:7-9 (KJV)
Seeing the commercials for Back-to-School clothing and taking notice of the clothing that people are wearing, almost always seemingly new, brought back memories of being a kid in the 50’sand a teen in the 60’s. My clearest memories are in my junior high school, where everyone had such a strong opinion of what was “cool” and what was not.
There were five kids in my household and money was tight. In grade school my mom made a lot of our clothing, some from flour sacks with tiny colorful flowers printed on them. In junior high school I was allowed to have 5 skirts and 5 blouses which we bought at the discount store. Sometimes I had a thing or two that fit from the year before, so those were subtracted from the items I was allowed to choose that year.
We were allowed to have one pair of shoes a year, which were always bought a thumb-width too long so you had room to grow into them during the year. By the end of summer you had to stuff cardboard inside so the rocks didn’t bruise your feet through the holes that had worn through the soles on the bottom. Plus, the stitching always wore through around the toe so the sole would flap as you walked. Sometimes epoxy helped, sometimes it didn’t. On the weekends were hand-me-down jeans and hand-me-down t-shirts and old gym shoes from the school year before. That’s just the way it was.
Then was an era when you took the time to put things back together – the handle on a coffee cup broke off, glue it on – the plate was dropped and broke in half, glue it back together – the handle on the rake broke, bailing wire and screws – the broom handle broke, tape and screws or use it short! Things had value because resources were few. We learned to cherish the things we had.
Today we live in a microwave society with an abundance of cheap, poorly made products designed to fail after a year’s use. We live in a society of debt and over extension so that “we” can have everything that “others” expect us to have to be normal. How did that happen? How do we get people back to “necessity” and out of “want”?
When Jesus sent the disciples out He told them to only take what they wore and two coats. He knew that carrying more would burden them and slow them down, keeping them from reaching the people He needed them to reaching in a timely manner. The disciples depended on God and the people of faith to provide for their needs as they did His work.
The children of Israel walked 40 years in the wilderness, but their clothing never ripped and their sandals never broke or wore through. What a miracle, I had a hard time getting 9 month’s wear out of my saddle oxfords!
Have we lost sight of why we are here? Have we sacrificed simplicity for a life of attractive complications? Jesus sent us with a simple yet powerful assignment, share the gospel with all people, care for the widows, the orphans and the homeless; comfort the hurting, pray for all.
I can do that. I am aware that the few things I give up each week can make a huge difference to a person in need. I can set a few extra plates at my table and invite folks over that need a break, a homemade meal and a time of encouragement. I can put together small packages of items and deliver them to the shelters. I can pray for the hurting, whether near or far, knowing that Jesus takes those prayers straight to the Father and a miracle will come soon. I can, I will.
Jesus, help me to always be aware of Your kingdom and Your children. Help me to walk past selfishness and always into Your will. Amen
Linda J. Humes 