I enjoyed an evening out tonight. While my husband stayed home and carbo-loaded in preparation for the Chicago Marathon tomorrow, I went to dinner at my small group leader's home. Actually I should say my small group leader's mansion.
Honestly. This woman lives in a mansion. Her house is a huge three story brick mansion with three story white pillars on either side of the front door. The property (must be at least an acre) also includes an in-ground swimming pool and horse stables. I've been to this house before and I know from that visit that the third story is primarily a fully-finished attic playroom. I haven't seen the basement, but I suspect it is also totally finished and decorated as exquisitely as the rest of the house. Maybe there's even a bowling alley down there!
I have to admit that in spite of the splendor of this woman's home -- and it is definitely splendid -- the woman herself is refreshingly down-to-earth. I learned tonight that her parents were German immigrants and I didn't get the impression that she enjoyed the über-privileged upbringing that she and her husband have been able to provide for their own children.
Even though this woman is surrounded by incredible luxury, I suspect she would gladly give it up if it meant she could have more time with her mother who died unexpectedly just a few months ago. I also think that she would surrender her beautiful possessions if the Lord asked her to part with them in order to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My small group leader has her priorities in order. She knows what's truly important and what's just pretty fluff. I need to remind myself of that whenever I'm tempted to compare myself to someone who drives a nicer car or lives in a bigger, newer house.
Jim Elliott said it best -- "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
That's the perspective, the eternal perspective, I need to embrace every day.
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