Gadget gluttony

I occasionally check out www.woot.com, a deal-a-day site for gadgets and electronics. Today they posted a practical garden item, an automatic hose reel that would solve several problems: keep me clean when I rewind the hose, keep the handle on our current hose reel from wrecking the benches nearby, and cover the ugly mess of the exposed hose on our front porch. (The plumbing was an ‘on-the-spot’ decision in our mostly thought-out home, so the main wall hose outlet is by the front door.)

We are looking for savings here and there, and an executive decision was made not to purchase (by the other executive). Our basement, garage, and attic are full of stuff that doesn’t work and/or has never been used. Still, I was ticked when the item sold out during discussion. Some people know a great idea as soon as they see it, I thought to myself.

Then I reconsidered. Adding to the jumble we already have doesn’t make life better. The old hose reel works: it would just expand existing clutter until we freecycle (www.freecycle.org). Since the other executive today officially became the new hose-reeler-in-er, we’ve protected our home from one more gadget. Now to guard from other incoming "goods" while we sort and shed the rest of the hoard...

What's sitting in your basement?

Read more:
*Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah's towns. So Asa's kingdom enjoyed a period of peace. During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the LORD was giving him rest from his enemies.

Asa told the people of Judah, 'Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the LORD our God, and he has given us peace on every side.' So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion. 2 Chronicles 14:5–7 NIV

*Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don't bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you." Proverbs 9:7–8 NLT

*Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6 NIV