The Elephant in the Room

For as long as I can remember, my mom has had a ceramic elephant on a shelf near her front door. She has told me that it symbolizes prosperity.

While visiting this weekend, she told me that we should look for an elephant for me at the consignment shop. She had previously found one for my aunt that she now has at her house. And I found a great one! He now resides on the table by my front door.

You are supposed to display the elephant with the trunk up in the air, and facing away from your front door and into your house. This positioning is supposed to bring your home prosperity and protection. I don't know if it works, but my parents have done pretty well all these years. It's worth a try, huh?

Before you look it up and freak, the elephant is a Buddhist symbol. It's a Fung Shei thing. I do not worship Buddha nor idolize him. I am a Jesus believing Christian through-and-through. I do not believe that a god within a ceramic elephant is going to bring me prosperity that God has not already ordained for me.

I just like the elephant. He's cute, and looks great on my table. And I like the symbolism. I also "find a penny, pick it up" and hope that "all the day I'll have good luck". I don't step on cracks in sidewalks for fear of  breaking my mother's back. And, I make a wish on a shooting star. You probably do those things, too.

If I happen to gain prosperity and protection in my life, I will thank the Lord for his grace and generosity.

And, then I will dust my elephant.