See this?!? |
| Caprice Metal Bar Cart |
This cart would look great in my dining room. I have two corners in my dining room that are completely bare and really "need" something in them. This would fit the bill perfectly!
Now, look at this.....
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| Outdoor Throw Pillow -- except I want the Canopy Stripe Red and Sand color |
I want 5 of these pillows in the Canopy Stripe Red and Sand Color to go on the Daybed that I have on my Sun porch. Right now, the daybed has no pillows.
It "needs" pillows.
I want them.
I really, really want them.
HOWEVER, I stop really short of saying I NEED them.
After looking at these and longing for them.
And being frustrated for a bit that I know we don't have the money to buy them, it struck me.
Well, God struck me.
He reminded me of all that I have.
I have a house to live in that actually has a dining room with a dining table and chairs to sit and eat the meals that I CAN afford to prepare for my family.
I have a sun porch in my house. And there is a table and chairs out there
and a daybed for me to sit on and have my quiet time when it warm outside.
NOT to mention the other 10 rooms in my house.......
I was then reminded of the people around the world who have so very little.
They don't have a house with 12 rooms.....They might not even have a house.
They might not even have food to feed their families.
Or electricity, or clean water,clothes to wear (much less closets overflowing with clothes)
or the freedom to worship as I do.
And that is when it struck me.
It's what I call American Guilt.
It is how we Americans are so wealthy compared to the rest of the world and still we want more. I am just as guilty as the everyone else I know.
So, today -I'm praying that the Lord would help me to be truly realize how much I really do have.
And that I would remember how much more wealthy I am than most of world.
To not want "more stuff".
"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money {also the love of stuff!}, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you' " (Hebrews 13:5).
Today I have American Guilt.
I know it will continue to be a struggle for me.
Is this a struggle for you?
in HIM-
I do get American Guilt, and sometimes I need a good helping of American Guilt. And to be honest, I wish sometimes want other people to have a good dose of American Guilt.
ReplyDeleteOn that last part, take out the word "wish"...I should have previewed that before posting :)
ReplyDeleteYep, I struggle with it too. I saw a sign on Pinterest that said something like, "Remember that the stuff you currently have was once what you longed for." It's as if when I get something I've wanted, I'm off to the next want. It's a constant battle. Praying it's the year of Enough is Enough.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this Mindy!