No More Mugs!

I went thrift store shopping this weekend with some of my favorite people in the whole world and had a marvelous time. I even found a few treasures (a Nike windbreaker, 10 pieces of matching crystal stemware, 4 complimentary pieces of crystal stemware, an Italian leather pocketbook), but what struck me the most about this particular round of thrifting was the abundance of glassware, coffee mugs in particular, and I got to thinking. What if, in an effort to conserve resources, we (they?) said no to the creation and manufacture of new, non-consumable goods, particularly coffee mugs?  I'm sure that someone has a ridiculously complex answer to this question that involves the economy, the stock market, and supply and demand, but does the world really need more coffee mugs? I think not.

What started as a good-natured, anti-stuff rant with my brother-in-law may actually have some merit.  Why do we (they?) continue to allow the production of coffee mugs?  Go to any thrift store in any town in any state of this union, and you will find more coffee mugs than you can shake a stick at (whatever that means...).  If you need a coffee mug for your office, for your classroom, as a gift, or just because GO TO A THRIFT STORE!  You will most likely pay less than $1 (more lattes for you!), and you will not be contributing to the manufacture of the detritus that ultimately ends up in the donation box.

I know that we are just talking about coffee mugs here, but let's take a look at the bigger picture.  Why do we (they?) keep manufacturing stuff--stuff that ends up in the trash heaps and thrift stores of the world?  You have a mug.  Why do you need a new mug?  You have a purse?  Why do you need a new purse.  You have a (__________).  Why do you need a new (__________).  People lament about the deplorable state of the environment, but they are unwilling to curb their consumerism.  I propose that, while saving the environment is a noble pursuit, perhaps we should be more concerned with saving ourselves from our insatiable desire for more, newer, bigger, "better"...

One of the things that I love the most about thrift store shopping is that I never really know what I "need", but God does, and on every thrift store outing, I find that He has tucked away little things just for me--abandoned things, forgotten things, things that no one else wants...except for me.  My thrift store finds are among my most cherished possession.  They are tangible reminders that while others are casting of the old in favor of the new, God is gleaning on my behalf and storing up treasures for me in the most unexpected places.

Now I want you to understand that I am not entirely opposed to the purchase of newly minted items, but I feel a deeper sense of satisfaction when I acquire something that has been "gently used", and when it comes to glassware, especially coffee mugs, I implore you for the sake of all that makes sense, please, please, please GO TO A THRIFT STORE!