Downsizing Part 1: The Wet Paper Sack Series

Downsizing Part 1: Wet Paper Sack

Open

Joseph Segel is a name that may not immediately be familiar to you, but what he founded in 1986 probably is. Quality Value Convenience is the name of his creation, but you probably know it better by its acronym: QVC.

Since its original broadcast in ’86, when it sold a shower radio, the network blossomed into a multi-billion-dollar company. And even if you don’t shop there, you most likely are familiar with it. I personally find the channel a cure for insomnia, but to each their own. I’m most likely in the minority, as QVC has proven to be widely successful, and I thought it’d be interesting to look up what the best sellers or the most popular items are…

The first three that popped up are: 1. Pop-it collapsible multipurpose cart with wheels, $99.98, available for 4 easy payments. 2. Philosophy field of flowers super-size 3-piece kit. I had no idea what that even was, so here’s the description: Inspired by an aromatic field of flowers, philosophy's field of flowers fragrance is the fresh, floral scent of peony for a delicate and classic experience. Wear this fresh, floral fragrance and feel positively lovely throughout the day. $85.92, available for 6 easy payments. If that math seems weird to you, it did me too, so here’s the breakdown: $85.92 divided by 6 equaled $14.32. Of course, that’s without shipping and handling, but who reads the small print. 3. Physician endorsed…Savannah Bow Sunhat. $26.50. I did click on the description and it’s a video of several salespeople wearing these sunhats. Looked like a gang I saw when we were on the west coast.

So, there you have it, 3 of the best sellers on QVC. Thousands of people can’t be wrong. I did read one review for the collapsible multipurpose car with wheels. It read, I never got to review the first cart I bought because as soon as I unfolded it, my husband walked in and walked off with my cart. I haven't been able to get it back, so I am buying another one for myself. As other reviewers said, it is very sturdy and the top is beautiful.

Body

My folks are in the process of downsizing. They’re getting rid of a lot of their possessions they’ve collected over the years and moving into a smaller house. They’re going through what I experienced some of when we moved last August, when I discovered how much stuff we had. I’ve noticed that the more stuff we have, the more there is to worry about or have to take care of. I’ve also noticed the more we have how it doesn’t really bring the fulfillment that stuff promised in its advertisements.

I wonder if our scripture writer for today, Paul who wrote this letter to the church in Philippi during his imprisonment, would buy that multi-purpose table to use if he was on his missionary journeys now. Or maybe the folks in Philippi would send it to Paul, since he not only is encouraging them in their faith in this letter, but also thanking them for a gift. Can you imagine Paul opening up that cart, “the top is beautiful…”

Paul had established this church during his 2nd missionary journey, and now he’s sending this letter all the way from Rome to Philippi. If you look on a map and see where Rome is in Italy, you’ll see it’s a long way from Philippi which is on the far eastern side of Macedonia. Sending mail was one thing, but Paul had traveled all that way, several times! I hope he had a Savannah hat!

Paul’s journeys were incredible when you study them on a map. Now, keep in mind, he did all that traveling without all the modern conveniences we have today. I just wrapped up a week in California, a week at licensing school, a day trip to Fargo, and a day trip to Bismarck. It was all taxing, and that’s with modern conveniences. Having survived all Paul did, he had a lot to boast about. He also had a lot of reason to want a multi-purpose cart, or a Savannah hat, but Paul realized why he shouldn’t boast…and he also realized all he really needed.

He starts in verse 1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. I really admire how Paul starts out with rejoice in the Lord! What difference does it make when you start your day that way, rejoicing in the Lord and all he’s done for you…? Now, Paul mentions a safeguard. What is our safeguard…? Both morally and theologically, the Bible is our safeguard. Whether we’re reading it privately or publicly, it alerts us to corrections we need to make in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Do you have any alerts going on in your life…?