I've been thinking a lot recently about my reasons for attempting to become more frugal. In all honesty, I feel like such a phony sometimes. We have not experienced true financial hardship that so many people do - we are very aware of that. The Lord has been so generous with us, and we are truly thankful for that. So yes, I could spend more than I do on groceries each week. (And I'm sure I could stand to spend a little less on clothes! :) Is having plenty reason enough to relax about budgeting? The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that the Lord desires this of me instead- to look to HIM for our provisions, instead of the paycheck.I so appreciated Maryanne's post about our provisional God. I just happened upon Maryanne's blog a month or so ago, and I have to say, from what I've read so far, I think if we lived in the same town, we'd be friends for sure. She puts into words exactly what I've been pondering in my heart too. And check out the way that, even though she's attempting to need less, the Lord still provides small things...things like a $2 children's table and chairs at a thrift store, because that's the kind of God He is. He delights in knowing and caring for us intimately! Isn't it incredible to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?!
I've been praying in the car before we hit the Goodwill or a garage sale, and I guess Ethan's been picking up on it. I don't really know how it happened, but now we pray together for things that we'd like to find. Ethan was so perplexed the other day when we didn't find what we had prayed for. He kept looking all over the store, asking people if they had seen "a black headboard for Mommy's bed." I thought it was so funny and sweet at the same time. I love his eyes of faith, and I loved getting to talk to him about how we respond when God doesn't give us what we want. We can trust Him - He will always provide for us! We just have to be willing to wait.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
9 comments:
Thanks for this post. I am way too quick to just try to find a way to get what I want or even what I need. I must remember to pray and know that the Lord wants to provide for me and it is prideful to not seek him.
You know the Lord provides the neatest things. One time he provided me air conditioning when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. It wasn't really a need, but he saw that I wanted it and gave it to me.
Once he brought someone along my path to help me carry a heavy load after I prayed that someone would.
Such truth!
Whenever I look hard at our finances and saving money, I always make sure that I am not doing it from a place of distrust, but rather from a place of wanting to use wisely what the Lord has provided, and seeking Him.
It could be argued that is just semantics, and maybe verbally it is, but in my heart it makes a huge difference.
What a good habit to get into! It's also nice to see that you are willing to go to thrift stores, even though you say you don't experience financial hardship. That shows humility!
i loved this post. we have been thru a really tough time, 6 months of unemployment, home foreclosed on and car repoed. YET GOD PROVIDED!!!! everything!! sometimes you learn a need really is a want.
Lovely post! Thank you for sharing your heart. He knows our every need, and we can trust Him! Sometimes He provides the "thing," sometimes He "substitutes" something else, and sometimes He provides the contentment if He withholds. Jehovah Jirah!
"What will He not bestow?"
He lavishes His bounty on us spiritually; we can trust Him materially as well.
it seems like something we should all know and do, but praying before i go into a store is NOT something i do, but am going to do from now on. we must be faithful in the small things first...
Yes, He DOES provide! And I have to admit, we're not always buying everything at the Goodwill or garage sales. In fact, that black headboard I searched all over town for, my husband just bought NEW for me! I was reminded by a friend at church today to look at that as the Lord's provision too. Our finances are the Lord's, whether small or large, right? And He gave us the cash to buy it, so we did.
But Ethan's still looking all over for that black bed. :O)
Sounds like a great opportunity to talk to Ethan about the differences between wants and needs! Sometimes the Lord has for us to wait patiently for Him to provide, and sometimes He wants us to learn to do without :) Thankfully our Jehovah Jireh also loves to lavish His children ... but also He doesn't spoil us by giving us everything all at once. Good lesson to learn at an early age!
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