Confession of a shopaholic

This is a dangerous development, as I’m convinced, I have an addictive personality. Last week I was aiming to be a hypochondriac, this week I’m turning into a shopping addict. I have listened to many people recount their experiences with phones, tablets and voice activated devices. One moment there having a conversation about a particular item and within moments, their being bombarded with emails and pop up advertisements regarding the aforementioned item. I’m the opposite, if I hear someone chatting about a certain purchase, I’m online checking out the possibilities. I have a tiny kitchen and before you say anything about it being in proportion, I have a problem with storage space. I have more kitchen gadgets than Fr Paddy has Elvis CDs. Although, he’s a bit old school, I haven’t managed to move him on to music downloads and streaming services.

I have one problem when ordering items online, I’m still using my home address. My sister and I, both use home for our deliveries, which drives my father mad.

There are occasions when home resembles a delivery depot, and my father hates clutter. Growing up, we also learned from my mother, if you wanted an easy life, don’t tell my father the full price of anything. There are days when he would make Scrooge look like Santa. When venturing home to collect a parcel, you have to run the gauntlet of an interrogation. I’m in my mid-forties but I still have to account for what I have bought and how much I have paid for it.

Recently I ordered an orthopaedic cushion to help with my back. On the computer screen, it was the best idea ever. This was going to be the perfect cure, apart from two issues. Firstly, with the cushion attached to the car seat, I couldn’t squeeze past the steering wheel due to my belly. Secondly, when I adjusted the seat to make space for my belly, I found my legs were now too short to reach the pedals.

When I recall some of the rubbish I have bought through the years, it’s true, a fool and their money are easily separated.

Yet there seems to be an endless ache for the new, an unquenchable thirst for the next big thing. I often wonder, what lack am I trying to make up for, what need am I trying to fulfil. Too often we can fall into the temptation of trying to satisfy the deepest and most profound human needs, through means and agendas, which don’t fulfil the ache in our hearts.

In today’s relentless society, lockdown came a massive shock to our systems. Suddenly, our routines have been shattered and our familiar supports have been torn away.

In these months of uncertainty, we have an opportunity to break the cycles, in which we have found ourselves imprisoned. Part of the journey of Christian discipleship, has been the need to change. Daily, we’re asked to turn anew towards God. These are days, when we have an opportunity to take stock, and ask what is of most value, what are the realities that sustain and prove life-giving.

In the modern world there is a lot of discussion and emphasis placed on individual rights. One of the achievements of our era has been the quest for equality and dignity.

Yet, for all the conversations concentrating on rights and freedoms, we can fail to consider the social context of these rights and freedoms. To be a Christian and to claim to love God, remains a lie if we fail to show love and compassion to the people, we share our lives with. God remains an idol, until we can recognise His face in our relative, friend, neighbour and the stranger. In these challenging times, how do we build up the kingdom of God, how to we ensure we give to God, what belongs to God. By following the example of Jesus, can we put the needs of others first, can we surrender our will, and make the sacrifices, which are needed to protect and keep people safe.

Life involves rights and responsibilities; genuine care and compassion are displayed when we witness to a desire to put the needs of the vulnerable before our own comfort and freedoms.