There Is None But I...

We have now been down in Naples, Florida for just about a week- we'll be headed back to Indy on Tuesday- and we have had a wonderful time being together. We have done all the typical "Florida things"

1. taken early morning walks on the beach
2. eaten a lot of wonderful and FRESH seafood
3. gone fishing (and actually caught some fish)
4. swam to the sandbar and found enough sand dollars to give to mother's 4th graders
5. lounged in the pool
6. saw dolphins and a whole school of sand sharks right up close to the shore
6. walked over to the the ice cream shop EVERY night for ice cream
7. and of course relaxed

It truly has been a much needed break from the craziness of trying to sell our home; something I have learned is much more work than I ever dreamed possible.

And while we have been having a blast, I can't seem to stop thinking about our surroundings and the surrounding wealth. Having grown up visiting Naples, I have seen it change over the years (or possibly I have just started to recognize what has always been present). The only word to describe this place is... opulent. Adam laughed when I used the word, but as I tried to explain to him, Naples is more than a place where the rich live. It oozes excess, self-indulgence, luxury, and an outrageous sense of entitlement. In many ways it reminds me of Daniel's description of Babylon.

What has bothered me most is not what being in the midst of this wealth has done to others (i.e spending millions on bricks and mortar, driving expensive cars, treating servicemen and women as if they were second class citizens), it is what it has done to me. In just a short week I have sensed a change in my heart, an adoption of the "Babylonian mentality." The worldly comforts this place offers are enticing and beautifully deceptive. They have tripped me up, made me question if a little more emphasis on the accumulation of money or things wouldn't possibly make life a little more palatable or enjoyable. I have to admit, I have gotten quite comfortable with nice fish dinners out, window shopping, doing whatever I please when I please, and generally thinking about me. I have even caught myself daydreaming about a nicer house with nicer things and how a little bit better job might get us one step closer to the Americna dream, which is displayed around every corner here.

So, while I am not anxious to leave the nice weather, relaxing days with my family and beautiful sunsets, I am eager to be reminded that there is a world outside of my wants, needs, and personal happiness. Even in Naples, God is trying to get all of us to lift our heads up from our own story and participate in the writing of His story for all of humanity. Its just been hard for me to remember that here in Naples. Thankfully, God has reminded me of this:

"But godliness, with contentment, is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we an take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Peace,
Katie