Deacon Victor Parrott

Matthew 6:24 (NRSV)

No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

The Finer Things in Life 

I will reluctantly confess that I watch the Bravo TV show entitled The Real Housewives of Atlanta. I have wondered if the show’s portrayal of the housewives is accurate or whether the women, as seen on the show, are caricatures of themselves. Accordingly, I have searched the internet for information regarding them. During a recent search, I found a video blog that features housewife Kandi Burruss. Ms. Burruss uses the blog to share the bitter and the sweet aspects of her life.

The particular blog that I watched featured a tearful and melancholic Kandi, who is a single parent, sharing that she had just had a painful conversation with her eight year old daughter, Riley. It seems that Riley is unhappy because her mom is unable to spend as much quality time with her as she did prior to appearing on the TV show. Riley confided that she wished her mother had never become a member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Kandi lamented that she is torn between loving and nurturing her child and providing “the finer things in life” for her. Perhaps her starting point should be defining those "finer things." If they are defined in terms of material goods which satisfy wants rather than needs, a revision of the definition might be required. Surely, fancy cars, designer clothes and expensive toys will be found lacking when placed in the balance against love, affection and caring for the gift that only God can give. If you find yourself in a dilemma that is similar to Kandi’s, weigh the tangible things that you can give your child(ren) against the intangible things which cannot be replaced. Then, decide who you will serve.

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to balance desires for material things with our duty to love the children that You have given us. Amen.

Thought for the day 

Don’t substitute treasure for your time. Give of yourself.