Hello again! So many of you have made such sweet comments and I've already heard several of you have taken the challenge yourself to fast shopping for a time! Yay and thank you for your support!
First of all, I've had a few victories I'd like to share over the past few days! Yesterday, I needed to get groceries and I purposely made the decision to shop at Wal-Mart instead of Target! I knew I would be tempted by nothing "extra" at Wal-Mart! And I wasn't of course... actually, I was once. It was very, very brief. They had a sale on a two pack of blanket sleepers for my daughter for $9.97 and I picked it up to check it out and here are the exact thoughts that I had... "she already has 200 blanket sleepers, put it back!" And, I did. I literally threw it with violent passion back on the shelf. And then straightened it to make sure I didn't have to do a blog about respect and character next time. I digress...
I had to go to Anthropologie today to exchange a shirt I got (before the blog people, calm down!) I walked up to the counter, took care of business, and walked away. The end. VICTORY!
So, although it is fun to share my strength of will for 3 days, I don't really deserve a trophy yet. Let me take you a little deeper into my closet... My issue with materialism does not start or end with buying myself clothes, shoes, beauty products, cheap jewelry and other lovely pretties. I also love to buy my daughter stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. MORE... pj's, outfits with ruffles, shoes, bows, you get my point.
In case you're wondering, I am not using money from our income or our family budget when I shop. Here's the funny thing about this story... I married a very frugal man. I used to say "cheap" and many would snicker and say that is a great description of him. However, over the years he has taught me more about what it means to truly steward your money in a Biblical way and I'm forever changed by it. We have a very structured budget with categories, subcategories, graphs, and charts! I work hard to honor him, the Lord, and our family by keeping receipts, managing my part of the budget well and not over spending. Are you totally confused yet??? About now, I bet you're asking yourself "and why is this chic writing a blog about overspending... and why am I still reading it?" Don't give up on me yet.
My shopping addiction is brought to life by extra spending money that I get outside of my normal paycheck- there are several ways I get this extra money throughout the course of a year. Don't panic, I'm not doing anything shady! The point is that I blow through this money so fast, it scares me. The really bizarre thing about it all is that I think it's because I utilize discipline (as I should) with our income and budget. So then, when I get anything extra that is just mine, I go the extreme opposite direction and get out of control. I love being able to spend whatever on whatever, whenever with no accountability. This is where the enemy sees a crack. He knows he can't tempt me with other "worldly" things (how foolish we are when we say things like that... as if materialism isn't among the "worldliest" of things!) But this, he knows is a weakness. A sin lasting through generations waiting for a radical deliverance. An all consuming desire to serve myself, even if for just a moment.
And so, here I am. I have lived a life committed to God and His principals my entire life. I have served Him, loved Him, and worshipped Him for as long as I can remember. I know the scriptures, I can pray the prettiest of prayers with authority, I can even lead others in a moment of salvation... but I can't keep my card in my purse. It's truth. It's a crack in the foundation and I'm going to take the time to rebuild it because I want to have life, and "life more abundantly" and I am learning that life is found one way. Not by accumulating, but by having open hands. Serving, giving, and finding everything- literally everything in God and God alone.
Still with me? Sure hope so.
Ashley
Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."
Hebrews 13:5 NLT
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