As I think about the past year and look forward to the year to come God has been reminding me not to live in EXCESS!
I have had a hard couple of days as God has been working on me. As you know Friday (day after Christmas) was a big shopping day. I had already set up with my husband to watch all the kids while I went out to look for deals. Then my dear hubby said to me, “What are you shopping for? Do we need anything?” Sadly, I could not come up with anything that we needed. My answer,” There are lots of things on sale tomorrow.” That is when God really started working! Do we need more stuff? When I looked around the house I discovered that it isn’t necessarily more space we needed but less stuff. Granted, it would be nice to have a larger home and not have kids stacked on top of one another. Do I need a Dodge Sprinter or will a plain old Chevrolet Passenger Van work just a well? Do our kids need the newest fad toys? Do we need the latest and greatest in electronics? Do we need 10 different snacks in the cabinet? Do we need to go out to dinner once a week? SO, I did not go shopping on Friday!
Then I started thinking about Ethiopia and Haiti. It almost makes me sick to think about how much money we waste on stuff that we don’t need. I bet I would be appalled if I added up the money I spent last year on things that were not needed. Could that have paid for another adoption? Could we have sponsored a child? Could we have sent more supplies over to the orphanages? Could we have sent Bibles? Could we have sponsored a missionary?
I usually do not make New Year’s Resolutions, frankly, because I never follow through. But, this year I am going to make one. I am not sure of the specifics but it will involve “not living in excess”. I am going to seriously look at where we are putting our resources(time & money). I will let you know what I come up with when I work out the details!
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!
I have had a hard couple of days as God has been working on me. As you know Friday (day after Christmas) was a big shopping day. I had already set up with my husband to watch all the kids while I went out to look for deals. Then my dear hubby said to me, “What are you shopping for? Do we need anything?” Sadly, I could not come up with anything that we needed. My answer,” There are lots of things on sale tomorrow.” That is when God really started working! Do we need more stuff? When I looked around the house I discovered that it isn’t necessarily more space we needed but less stuff. Granted, it would be nice to have a larger home and not have kids stacked on top of one another. Do I need a Dodge Sprinter or will a plain old Chevrolet Passenger Van work just a well? Do our kids need the newest fad toys? Do we need the latest and greatest in electronics? Do we need 10 different snacks in the cabinet? Do we need to go out to dinner once a week? SO, I did not go shopping on Friday!
Then I started thinking about Ethiopia and Haiti. It almost makes me sick to think about how much money we waste on stuff that we don’t need. I bet I would be appalled if I added up the money I spent last year on things that were not needed. Could that have paid for another adoption? Could we have sponsored a child? Could we have sent more supplies over to the orphanages? Could we have sent Bibles? Could we have sponsored a missionary?
I usually do not make New Year’s Resolutions, frankly, because I never follow through. But, this year I am going to make one. I am not sure of the specifics but it will involve “not living in excess”. I am going to seriously look at where we are putting our resources(time & money). I will let you know what I come up with when I work out the details!
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!
God has been dealing with me about the same thing!! I am really trying hard to get rid of STUFF!!! I am not brand conscious so that isn't the issue. Just stuff. and Organization... God isn't the author of confusion and that is what parts of my home is.. So I am working on that!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest post!!
Debbie