St. Francis broke his iPod

On my first mission trip with YWAM in Germany, there was a crazy, old missionary that insisted we all watch the movie “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” which dramatizes pieces of St. Francis’ life. It’s 70’s, “hippie” atmosphere is off putting at first...a bit funny. But when we watched it that cold night in Augsburg in the Winter of ’91, something happened in me. It is a formative film in my life and has informed choices I have made ever since. It has definitely been a part of the journey here to Modesto. When I go and speak at other places, I am now the crazy, old YWAMer subjecting a new generation to some 70’s awesomeness. The sound track is Donavan for Pete’s sake!

So I have tried to walk in some of Francis’ footsteps after encountering this story. I have pursued a simpler life. I long to commit to relationships more readily than to consumerism. I do not like to have a lot of stuff. I rarely own the latest and greatest. And I long for a simple faith. A faith grounded in the gospel of Jesus, not the christian bookstore. A faith that can flourish in simplicity, humility and community. Sounds good, huh?

Well now I do have some nice things and I get to do extraordinary things from time to time. Most, if not all, were given to me. My laptop is often one of the best computers in the room...it was a gift. My Takamine guitar was pure grace. Our family van was a gift. Our flights to Kentucky this year were provided and two years ago, we went to Disneyland as a family, that was from a secret collection done by a friend.

Until December, I thought having an iPod would always be out of the question. There are always more important things to spend our money on. I have a walkman...like for cassette tapes that I still use and a CD walkman that plays MP3 CDs...who needs an iPod? I’ve always really wanted one and have managed to suppress the urge.

Then, over Christmas, my nephew got a new 3G iphone with no immediate plans for his old (original) one. He gave it to me. I was able, with the help of some internet downloads, to jail brake it so I could use it without a Sim card as an iPod touch! Music, podcasts, audio books and apps galore! Woo hoo! A dream come true for me. Oh and the kids love it too. You should see Stella playing the Tinkerbell game. So cute.

Today, I followed links to a routine iPhone software update that I didn’t realize I shouldn’t do. The software updated and the dern thing locked up again and the jail braking program wasn’t written for this new system. It’s locked.

St. Francis broke his iPod.

I was surprised to find that I loved this thing so much. I was sad all day. I sulked. I was dark and depressed. I was testy with Amie and the kids. I pouted and wasted a lot of time trying to fix it.

It surprised me how much this thing affected me. I had to consciencely put it away. I had to talk myself down from being too sad over this thing. How sneakily possessions can creep in and steal us from the real stuff of life.

I want my life to be marked, not by possessions or even accomplishments, but by relationships..interactions with the living God, family and friends and my community.

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." ~ Jesus (Luke 12:15)