Today, I went grocery shopping in a neighboring town that has a pretty nice HEB and Wal-Mart. As I was walking around reviewing my mental list of necessities for our home, I would see certain items that I have grown accustomed to over the years but are no longer in my new "single mom" grocery budget. It was not easy for me to admit, "I can't afford this right now." I could have looked for cheaper versions/generic this or that, but honestly I just didn't want generic anything. So, I would rather just go without that material item.
My grandma used to tell me that I had champagne taste on a cheap beer budget. So even years ago, my budget was not big enough for good beer let alone champagne. In the past few years, though, I have been very blessed financially. I must admit that next to the word spoiled in the dictionary is a picture of me. As a matter of fact, my attitude has often been one of if I can't have exactly what I want, which is often the best, then I don't want anything at all. If I am being brutally honest about my shortcomings, then I have to admit that about my materialism.
Ironically enough, just a few weeks ago, my daughter and I were having a similar discussion about her wanting a vehicle. She basically stated that if she couldn't have a red jeep with a black soft top, then she didn't want anything at all. I was so upset with her for being spoiled....I remember thinking, "This child is going to have to learn what it means to be content. She needs to drive my old suburban until she has a heart of appreciation." She is definitely my child, though I often forget how closely the fruit lies next to the tree...
Today, I have decided after much reflection and prayer that contentment can be a trick of the enemy if it leads to complacency and settling. "God did not call us to lead ordinary lives, " compliments of my youth minister brother in law. I agree. God called me to live an extraordinary life for Him. That doesn't mean that I will be able to ever afford the fine "champagnes" in the world that I have such a high appreciation for, but it also doesn't mean that I have to settle for anything less than what God has set aside for me whether materially, emotionally, physically, financially, or spiritually.
Materially, there are certain suits and professional type clothing that I like and that suit my body type. When I buy something else, it often finds its way to the back end of my closet never being worn. It's a waste of money and resources. If I hold out and save my money for what I really want, then I know that I will wear it. I will get what I really want and get the use out of it. What leads me to buying something else? Usually impatience, frustration, desperation, apathy, etc.
How many times in life have I settled for the something else because I was impatient, frustrated, tired, desperate, apathetic or whatever and have missed out on what God truly had set aside for me? How many times in life have I gotten so comfortable that complacency set in? Complacency can be such a safe place that it keeps us from being bold for Christ, and settling for something other than what we truly want, if it lines up with God, can lead to waste and disappointment.
Proverbs 1:32 reads, "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
How do you know if your expectation lines up with God? Only through prayer and petitions can you know if your expectations are in line with God's will for your life. Does God care if you want a red jeep to drive over an old suburban. Yes, He does. He may not mean for you to have a red jeep if it is an idol in your life, though. He may not mean for you to have any of the material possessions that you desire, but He may.
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…" (Psalm 37:5-7a, NIV).
God has a plan for your life. Line up your expectations with God, and He will not only give you the desires of your heart but may even fulfill the desires of your heart if you are patient. Be lead by the Holy Spirit, move when He tells you to move, and wait when He tells you to wait. Conserve your resources until God calls you to use them. Don't waste out of impatience. Hold out for what you really want: ministry, friends, career, love, family, home, fiances, or whatever.
The irony of it all is that what we may consider a sacrifice according to the level of our "spoiledness" may be someone else's luxury. As I was shopping today, I just kept reflecting on the fact that my new "single mom" grocery budget was probably a month's wage for some people in America as well as other countries. I am thankful for God's provision and humbled that He continues to bless me regardless of how spoiled I am.
My grandma used to tell me that I had champagne taste on a cheap beer budget. So even years ago, my budget was not big enough for good beer let alone champagne. In the past few years, though, I have been very blessed financially. I must admit that next to the word spoiled in the dictionary is a picture of me. As a matter of fact, my attitude has often been one of if I can't have exactly what I want, which is often the best, then I don't want anything at all. If I am being brutally honest about my shortcomings, then I have to admit that about my materialism.
Ironically enough, just a few weeks ago, my daughter and I were having a similar discussion about her wanting a vehicle. She basically stated that if she couldn't have a red jeep with a black soft top, then she didn't want anything at all. I was so upset with her for being spoiled....I remember thinking, "This child is going to have to learn what it means to be content. She needs to drive my old suburban until she has a heart of appreciation." She is definitely my child, though I often forget how closely the fruit lies next to the tree...
Today, I have decided after much reflection and prayer that contentment can be a trick of the enemy if it leads to complacency and settling. "God did not call us to lead ordinary lives, " compliments of my youth minister brother in law. I agree. God called me to live an extraordinary life for Him. That doesn't mean that I will be able to ever afford the fine "champagnes" in the world that I have such a high appreciation for, but it also doesn't mean that I have to settle for anything less than what God has set aside for me whether materially, emotionally, physically, financially, or spiritually.
Materially, there are certain suits and professional type clothing that I like and that suit my body type. When I buy something else, it often finds its way to the back end of my closet never being worn. It's a waste of money and resources. If I hold out and save my money for what I really want, then I know that I will wear it. I will get what I really want and get the use out of it. What leads me to buying something else? Usually impatience, frustration, desperation, apathy, etc.
How many times in life have I settled for the something else because I was impatient, frustrated, tired, desperate, apathetic or whatever and have missed out on what God truly had set aside for me? How many times in life have I gotten so comfortable that complacency set in? Complacency can be such a safe place that it keeps us from being bold for Christ, and settling for something other than what we truly want, if it lines up with God, can lead to waste and disappointment.
Proverbs 1:32 reads, "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
How do you know if your expectation lines up with God? Only through prayer and petitions can you know if your expectations are in line with God's will for your life. Does God care if you want a red jeep to drive over an old suburban. Yes, He does. He may not mean for you to have a red jeep if it is an idol in your life, though. He may not mean for you to have any of the material possessions that you desire, but He may.
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…" (Psalm 37:5-7a, NIV).
God has a plan for your life. Line up your expectations with God, and He will not only give you the desires of your heart but may even fulfill the desires of your heart if you are patient. Be lead by the Holy Spirit, move when He tells you to move, and wait when He tells you to wait. Conserve your resources until God calls you to use them. Don't waste out of impatience. Hold out for what you really want: ministry, friends, career, love, family, home, fiances, or whatever.
The irony of it all is that what we may consider a sacrifice according to the level of our "spoiledness" may be someone else's luxury. As I was shopping today, I just kept reflecting on the fact that my new "single mom" grocery budget was probably a month's wage for some people in America as well as other countries. I am thankful for God's provision and humbled that He continues to bless me regardless of how spoiled I am.
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