#6 Enjoy (what you have)

There was this Persian rug.

It was perfect. 

It was as though the rug maker thought about me the entire time they were making it. I spotted it across the store and spent a good hour weighing the pros and cons of this big purchase. I had decided that yes, even though this was a big purchase, I could not leave the store without it.

Anyone who knows me at all knows that this was not a typical Leslie moment. My idea of splurging is usually $20-30. And even then I usually talk myself out of the purchase by the time it comes to actually paying for it. So this Persian rug really was perfect. My uncle Vic has told me many times, that if you like something leave it in the store; you will always go back go get it if you really want it. I try to follow this rule and most of the time it works, but this rug... I just didn't want someone else to get it! It was MINE! It was made for ME!

So I called my dad. My dad is where my logical side and my frugal side comes from, we speak the same language. I knew if it wasn't meant to be he'd talk me out of it. And he did... eventually. I tried explaining to him over and over again all the reasons WHY this rug just HAD to go home with me. What it boiled down to was that even though I had the money, there were so many other things that I could use it for, like school loans, that just keep coming each month like clock work. He also tried to console me in the fact that there will always be another rug. (But not this one, this perfect beautiful rug...). Usually after still wanting something at this point I would have returned for the purchase, but I know next time I will not be strong enough to say no.



I feel so selfish wanting something material so badly. It's silly really. I mean, money isn't eternal, but neither is a rug.

I didn't grow up in a family with a lot of money, but we were provided for way far and above the essential needs of life. We were never in need, even if we were too selfish to stop wanting.

There were a lot of hand-me-downs, a lot of garage sales, a lot of casseroles and left overs, and a lot of lessons about love, loyalty, grace, forgiveness, gratitude, stewardship and blessing.

I may not have everything our society tells me I need to be happy, but I am blessed, and so thankful for what I do have, and the family and friends that love even my worst self. 

Today's simplicity: Learn to differentiate between needs and wants. Instead of thinking about what you don't have, thank God for what you do have.

Lord, never let me fail to see the many, many blessings I have and daily take for granted. Help me to better enjoy the substance of life and extend myself as a blessing as so many wonderful people have done for me.