Accumulating Stuff

March 22, 2026
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Years and years ago after a lifetime of accumulating treasures and stuff, Armona’s mom and dad had a sale to dispose of their treasures and stuff to move to a smaller house in a bigger town.  They went from Pioneer, Iowa with a population of forty to Gilmore City, Iowa with a population of 400.  That move had to be a real culture shock. 😊
 
Now if you don't think a little town like Pioneer, Iowa can have a national impact, you are wrong.  Long ago there was a television show entitled Hee Haw.  During one of the segments of that television series, one of the actors would jump out of a cornfield and salute a small town in America.  How surprised we were when we heard the words, “Pioneer, Iowa!  S-a-l-u-t-e!” 
  
Now back to the main event, the sale.  As Armona and her sisters were going through the attic treasures of their parents, they discovered two scrapbooks of old postcards, some of them dating back to the 1910’s and 1920’s.  Thinking them to be worthless, they were ready to throw those scrapbooks of old postcards into the fire.  Not one to throw anything away, I said, “No!  Someone will buy those.”  
 
Thinking me to be a fool, believing those postcards had value, they all laughed at me.  Nevertheless, the scrapbook of postcards went on the auction table.  On the day of the auction, I resolved to buy those postcards, just to prove to everyone that I was not a fool and that those postcards did have value.  Honestly, I thought I could buy them for $5.  The auctioneer began his cry to sell the postcards and being caught up in the moment, I won the bid at $55.  Armona not realizing I was the successful bidder, later said to me, “Did you hear that some fool paid $55 for those postcards?”  About then, I had to sheepishly admit that I was the fool who paid that much money for them.  😊
 
There's an old wisdom saying that goes like this.  “A fool and his money are soon parted.”  I choose to think that I am no fool.  I just paid $55 for a lifetime of laughs.  The world needs more laughter!
 
Peace and grace… and laughter!
Pastor Allan
 
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