“Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 NKJV February marks the serious season of clearance racks. They are everywhere, and I’ve always loved a good bargain. One of my fondest memories is bargain shopping with my mom. We’d scour the aisles for discounted clothes, shoes, decorative items, basically anything that made our heart pitter for the patter of a lower price. Those trips were a yearly tradition, and I can't help but smile at the memories. Now I'm years older, and I still check the bargain racks. I mean, how can you not, right? But it's different, I look for bargains for my grandkids, my granddogs, my husband, even my aquarium. It's still fun, but there's a difference. I now notice the frantic shoppers, their faces set with a “gimme, gimme” determination. The frenzy is like a never-ending race against time—especially in today's economy. Whether it’s a discounted coat or fuzzy animal slippers for the following winter, the pursuit of “stuff” can leave us breathless and sometimes disappointed. Don’t misunderstand—there’s nothing wrong with enjoying life’s blessings from the bargain bin. I still remember buying two fall jackets for one dollar each—a Nike and an Adidas. Name brands! I was so excited I did a fist bump right there in aisle 17. The only problem? Four boys, two new jackets. But at that price, I'd make it work—cue the family motto: "If it fits, it's yours." God delights in giving us good gifts, even fun gifts. But when we live in a constant state of grasping for more, it’s like chasing after the wind. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said it perfectly: “Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NKJV). The “both hands full” mindset—always grasping, always consuming—might seem sweet at first, like a double-scoop ice cream cone on a hot day, melting faster than you can enjoy and leaving nothing but a soggy cone and regret. The truth is, God didn’t design us to hoard blessings. He wants us to share them. True joy doesn’t sit in a full cart, but rests in open hands and a generous heart. Looking back, those bargain days with my mom are beautiful memories. The treasures we found are now worn, broken, or gone. My mom is in heaven now, but what remains is the memory of time spent together—her laughter, her warmth, and the love we shared in those simple moments of "chasing after the wind," so to speak. I cherished the joy of her presence, not the things we bought. Those jackets? They are long gone, too. Funny enough, the Adidas fit three of the boys, so they had to share—but that’s a devotion for another day. So, the next time the world tempts you to chase after just one more thing, remember Solomon’s wisdom. One handful with peace is far sweeter than a cart full of toil. Heavenly Father, Thank You for the blessings You pour into my life—both big and small. Help me to hold them with open hands. Teach me to seek contentment in You, and remind me that real treasure is found in moments of love, laughter, and generosity, not in the clearance racks of this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Spiritual Spark Challenge: This week, take a moment to bless someone with what you already have—whether it's your time, a kind word, or even a small gift. Pay attention to the joy that comes not from gaining but from giving. "One handful with peace is far sweeter than a cart full of toil." ~~LM