by Leigh-Anne Burley

“As I set out my decorations, the phrase ‘downsize your Christmas ornaments’ kept running through my head,” Joyce said to her long-time church friend, Donna, just before their Sunday school class began.

Donna agreed. “I have enough ornaments to decorate three trees. I can’t even think about downsizing this year.”

“I know. I have plenty left over.”

“Did you hear about James?” asked Donna.

“No. What about James?”

“After dinner, he informed his wife of his indigestion and went to bed. He never woke up.”

Joyce, eyes wide, exclaimed, “That’s terrible!”

Donna declared, “Three men from our class have died in the past year.”

“Plus, two others are in the hospital.”

Cutting through the classroom noise, Sunday school teacher Charles declared, “This morning’s lesson concerns the wealthy young man who questioned Jesus about gaining God’s kingdom. Jesus instructs him to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him.”

At the end of the teaching, Charles poses an application question: “How do we cherish our coveted possessions over our love for God and furthering his kingdom?” 

No one answered; all appeared excited to resume fellowship with their classmates.

At the back of the class, Lori, a senior woman who chose a modest lifestyle, moved into the area and sought a godly house of worship. Looking around at these Christians’ smug white privilege and affluence, she concluded that the only downsizing of this group would be through death. She prayed no Christian would hoard their resources, as so many were in need.

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Leigh-Anne Burley was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and resides in Virginia with her husband of 42 years. She has three children and six grandchildren. Leigh-Anne has a BA in English and an MA in Pastoral Counseling. She is published in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Leigh-Anne enjoys walking and hiking in nature, reading, writing and movies.