So, we did a thing.

Courtesy of many pandemic hours of watching shows like American Pickers & Storage Wars, we decided it would be fun to bid on an abandoned storage unit. Without going into all of details, the end result was that we purchased a smallish storage unit for a minimal price. Our main goal was to make back our money in selling stuff and possibly some extra for vacation this summer.

We were a bit naïve last week. We are older and wiser now.

All joking aside, the whole thing has been rather an emotional journey. It’s clear that someone quickly packed up this person’s belongings and stored them because he had passed away or moved somewhere where he no longer needed his stuff.

Either way, everything we found in this unit was a snapshot into this gentleman’s life. While it doesn’t provide a complete picture, I can make some educated guesses from what he left behind.

There was much evidence of broken relationships and a fascination with living in the past rather than focusing on the present.

It’s not clear what faith, if any, he had as there were several different religions represented.

He clearly had an unhealthy focus on evil times and evil people.

I looked on his Facebook and there was a point a few years ago that the posts just stopped. There were no condolences, no well-wishing, no checking on him, no fond remembrances.

Overall, this process has brought me a great deal of sadness because it is a picture of a life that valued collections of things over people and a relationship with Jesus.

This prompts me to ask these questions (I asked this of myself, as well):

What would a storage unit (or even a closet!) filled with the things of your life say about you?

Would it show a person who loved people more than things?

Would it show someone who used their talents and money to bless others or instead used them for his/her own personal gain?

Would it show a person who is sold out for Christ Jesus?

There’s a great country song that has a line in the chorus that always makes me think:

It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you,

it’s what you leave behind you when you go.

So, what is your legacy? What are you leaving behind?

Years ago, a friend of mine told me that several people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior at her father’s memorial service. I love this! A life that was a witness for the Lord while he was alive bringing others to Jesus by his death!

I don’t want to leave behind a storage unit full of things for people to sort through. A life serving the Lord & others – this is the legacy I want to leave behind!

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.