attachment to things

[hawko]

Yesterday, the Lord gave me a teaching / understanding on being "attached to things." I own four pairs of rosaries, with one being my most favorite, and one being my least favorite. Within the last two weeks, I somehow managed to break three out of my four pairs of rosaries. The one pair that was not broken was my least favorite pair. This bothered me a little at that time. Last night when I was saying the rosary, the Lord gave me an understanding that this experience was a lesson in not being "attached to things." I just wanted to share this with everyone, since I think at times we all have attachments to things. This attachment to things can be an impediment to spiritual growth, no matter how slight the attachment.

[isabella1]

Yesterday, the Lord gave me a teaching / understanding on being "attached to things." I own four pairs of rosaries, with one being my most favorite, and one being my least favorite. Within the last two weeks, I somehow managed to break three out of my four pairs of rosaries. The one pair that was not broken was my least favorite pair. This bothered me a little at that time. Last night when I was saying the rosary, the Lord gave me an understanding that this experience was a lesson in not being "attached to things." I just wanted to share this with everyone, since I think at times we all have attachments to things. This attachment to things can be an impediment to spiritual growth, no matter how slight the attachment.
So true. I have had many lessons of attachment to material things. I have never been well off, and almost all my belongings (and many clothes) in my condo are either hand me downs, gifts, or from the second hand store. The only new things I have are the items that were in my business office, and when I closed, whatever I did not sell i was able to keep.

Throughout my life God has promised me over and over again, giving me sign after sign of how he will always take care of me and my daughter and not to worry. He will always provide what we need (not necessarily what we want). This is His promise to me.

All I have to do is trust. Sometimes that is hard for me because I panic when things get real tight. I tend to try and handle it myself. When I make a mess out of it, then I remember to hand it over to God, oh ya, He promised to take care of us. But thats usually after I take it back a couple of times.

In prayer I was once told by our Lord, "Never hold onto anything so tight that when I ask you to give it up to someone in need you cant". Let me tell you, he has asked me to give up some of my most prized possessions. I have always given things up, but sometimes would say "Oh Lord please, no, not that, and cried over it!" But when I give it up, He usually blesses me for it, in ways I never expect. You can never out give God!

[MoNiCa4316]

Sometimes I struggle with this... in fact, Hawko your thread is most timely :)
for me it sort of goes up and down...sometimes I have very little, if any, attachment to things...and sometimes it's really difficult to let go. Those moments are hard because I know I have to put God first, and at the same time I feel I'm unable to :(
I believe lots of prayer works in this case...

God bless :hug:

[hawko]

Yesterday, the Lord gave me a teaching / understanding on being "attached to things." I own four pairs of rosaries, with one being my most favorite, and one being my least favorite. Within the last two weeks, I somehow managed to break three out of my four pairs of rosaries. The one pair that was not broken was my least favorite pair. This bothered me a little at that time. Last night when I was saying the rosary, the Lord gave me an understanding that this experience was a lesson in not being "attached to things." I just wanted to share this with everyone, since I think at times we all have attachments to things. This attachment to things can be an impediment to spiritual growth, no matter how slight the attachment.


I was sharing this with my wife, and she was saying to me that she didn't think that she had any attachments to anything. Then, four o'clock in the morning, she woke up thinking about the same thing, but couldn't think of anything that she had an attachment to. Just then, the Lord gave her a vision, (which looked like someone was panning a movie camera around the room) and the Lord showed her the kitchen (in our former house), which my wife loved so much. So, I guess we all have attachments to something; the important thing is that we don't give that thing more attention than God.

[isabella1]

I was sharing this with my wife, and she was saying to me that she didn't think that she had any attachments to anything. Then, four o'clock in the morning, she woke up thinking about the same thing, but couldn't think of anything that she had an attachment to. Just then, the Lord gave her a vision, (which looked like someone was panning a movie camera around the room) and the Lord showed her the kitchen (in our former house), which my wife loved so much. So, I guess we all have attachments to something; the important thing is that we don't give that thing more attention than God.
Amen! That is why it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

[D'Ann]

I love my Rosary. If it gets broken, I use it anyway. My bad. I have to confess, I am attached to my home. But the only reason I love my home is because I know God is here and in my family.

I do agree, we all can become somewhat materialistic and into consumerism if we are not careful. I just read a great article about this that our Pope B16 wrote a long time ago. You are right, we need to put aside the things of this world and focus on doing God's will. Things here on earth are temporal...

God's Peace

[hawko]

Today, I received in the mail #77, Vol 20 of the 101 times, (a free newsletter), which contains spiritually uplifting articles. On the first page of this literature, it speaks about the pains of purgatory, and I quote: "We know that the sufferings of purgatory are beyond our power to comprehend. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that all earthly pains do not make up the equivalent of one moment of purgatory. Such are the many terrible sufferings that purify the soul of its unholy attachments and prepare it for union with a;mighty God".

[hawko]

I might also mention the fact that the terrible tragedies that many have suffered who live in the mid-western part of our country recently, (through floods and tornadoes), is indeed a time of testing for these people. In their own lives, they have gone through the same type of testing that Job went through in his own life. It is indeed a reminder that all of our earthly possessions are indeed but temporary, and can be taken away at any time. We must appreciate all that we have on this earth as gifts from God.

[isabella1]

Yep it all sure can be taken away. I am a prime example of that. Maybe not down to nothing, but I lost about 3/4 of what I owned. It amazes me what we can really live on, and how many things we purchase because of just wanting it (due to society's pressure), and not what we need. I fight that all the time. I have to say to myself, especially lately, do I really need that, and before i make a purchase I walk around the store a little. Then i usually end up returning it to the shelf.

There are so many people that really have nothing. I am so blessed to have what I do. I was actually thinking about taking the money I would of spent on wants and put it in a jar every time I resist that temptation to purchase what I really don't need, then give it to someone else in need.

I happen to know a couple nuns that live on strictly providence, their hermitage is called "The Daughters of Providence". When I lived closer, I used to volunteer my services to them.

It is amazing the faith they have that God will provide, and he always does, right on time. Being human they too sometimes get a little nervous about paying a heating, light bill, or car repairs for their ever breaking down vehicle.

They are my first examples of what truly living in God's providence was. Watching them inspires me to try and have that kind of faith.

[hawko]

Yep it all sure can be taken away. I am a prime example of that. Maybe not down to nothing, but I lost about 3/4 of what I owned. It amazes me what we can really live on, and how many things we purchase because of just wanting it (due to society's pressure), and not what we need. I fight that all the time. I have to say to myself, especially lately, do I really need that, and before i make a purchase I walk around the store a little. Then i usually end up returning it to the shelf.

There are so many people that really have nothing. I am so blessed to have what I do. I was actually thinking about taking the money I would of spent on wants and put it in a jar every time I resist that temptation to purchase what I really don't need, then give it to someone else in need.

I happen to know a couple nuns that live on strictly providence, their hermitage is called "The Daughters of Providence". When I lived closer, I used to volunteer my services to them.

It is amazing the faith they have that God will provide, and he always does, right on time. Being human they too sometimes get a little nervous about paying a heating, light bill, or car repairs for their ever breaking down vehicle.

They are my first examples of what truly living in God's providence was. Watching them inspires me to try and have that kind of faith.

There was one person who was totally unattached to things in this world and depended totally on the providence of God; that was Mother Theresa, now known as St. Theresa.

[isabella1]

There was one person who was totally unattached to things in this world and depended totally on the providence of God; that was Mother Theresa, now known as St. Theresa.
Ah, yes of course. This nun I have the pleasure knowing was a good friend of Mother Theresa's. Just not the same order. Mother Theresa used to send people to her Hermitage for safety. (Women in trouble or battered, etc...):)

[D'Ann]

I love Mother/Saint Theresa. She truly did walk by faith and was very dependent on God for her needs. I read her biography. What an amazing woman of faith and what a wonderful example. She inspires me to not freak out when we are short of money, because somehow, God does provide.

Isabella, I also walk around the store too and most of the time, I'll put things back as well. After reading the article on Consumerism and the sin of it, there is a deep appreciation for the blessings in my life and when it is all said and done, we do have what we need.

God Bless

[isabella1]

I love Mother/Saint Theresa. She truly did walk by faith and was very dependent on God for her needs. I read her biography. What an amazing woman of faith and what a wonderful example. She inspires me to not freak out when we are short of money, because somehow, God does provide.

Isabella, I also walk around the store too and most of the time, I'll put things back as well. After reading the article on Consumerism and the sin of it, there is a deep appreciation for the blessings in my life and when it is all said and done, we do have what we need.

God Bless
Got a link to the article? Would love to read it.

[hawko]

I think that the Lord was again testing my reaction to "attachment to things" when the other day, my daughter (who was driving my car) backed out of our driveway, and hit my son's car which was parked in the street. Luckily, I just came home from attending daily mass, when my daughter broke the news to me, so I reacted in a calm manner, (only because I had just received Jesus in Holy Communion).

[isabella1]

I am sure your daughter was grateful for you going to Mass^_^ Sorry about the car:(