The very few people who read my blog know that I've challenged myself to a year of non-consumerism, of frugal living, of being grateful and focused on all that I have instead of wanting and buying more. Now, before you get judgmental about the title of this blog, let me explain myself. I've done quite well since January with my pledge to not buy new. There have been some exceptions, particularly when it comes to my grandson, but I put him on the "does not count if I buy him any amount of clothes or toys" list before I ever agreed to this endeavor. Though I'm proud to say that I mostly buy his clothes at baby consignment sales. Back to my confession of my tremendous, excellent, stupendous, amazing shopping spree, the likes of which I've never experienced in my life! You ladies who like to shop will just laugh and think I'm loony, but I really HATE shopping. Yet, this was the most fun I've ever had shopping for clothes. The good news is......
I DIDN'T BREAK MY PLEDGE!!
My closet really has become sparse when I discount all the shirts with holes in them and the clothes that don't fit anymore. It was time. I had to get some new duds.
Thank God for a wonderful resaleclothing store in Tyler where I spent 4 hours shopping (folks I've NEVER spent 4 hours shopping for clothes) and tried on at least 100 pieces of clothing! To my surprise, absent was the pressure I would've normally felt shopping at Macy's to find the perfect ensemble at a price that didn't give me buyer's remorse.
It was also surprising to me how I felt a new sense of freedom and adventurein choosing what I liked. When a name brand skirt is $6 or $8, you can venture out and try a style that is a little different than what you would normally do, withno guilt.
I left the store with 17 gently used pieces of clothing, including one pair of dress shoes that looked like they had never been worn, spent about $170 before tax, and felt like a million bucks!
Now, I have 2 dilemmas.
The first is when I'm going to wear each of my new items! And, the second is will I ever go back to the old way of living and consuming? I feel so much better shopping this way where I save my family money, reuse items that are still wonderful and viable, and feel like I'm being a much better steward of all that God has given me.
I was reminded today that sometimes we must wait for what we desire. We are normally an inpatient lot, aren't we? We want what we want and we want it now!
But, what if we were to wait for God's timing? The mere discipline of waiting for Him to reveal His gifts can be a blessing all on its own. When we wait patiently, it forces us to slow down and take notice of our surroundings, our feelings, our hopes and our blessings.
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." - Psalm 130:5
This morning I took the kayak out on the lake in hopes of seeing the eagles and getting some decent photographs. I even managed to take my camera with a charged battery this time!
As I paddled along the shoreline, I took my time and enjoyed the solitude and beauty of the morning. There were no motorboats on the water and the only noises were the sounds of my paddles hitting the water, the bubbling and splashing of fish hitting the top of the water and the various water birds calling and heading off in flight to a new fishing perch.
Soon I was in front of the eagles nesting area, but I saw no sign of them in the tall pines. I brought along cold water and a granola bar, so I sat patiently in the kayak and slowly ate my breakfast. Because I had no place I had to be and was in no hurry, I simply enjoyed the moments.
I savored the taste of grains and nuts, listened to my silent breath, and sat still, a quiet (though not invisible) observer of the amazing beauty around me. The great blue herons were peacefully walking along shorelines looking intently for neighboring fish who might swim close enough to become a meal. Two pelicans were lazily floating in the shallow inlet. Cattle were grazing in the fields and venturing into the water to get a drink.
The world is at peace. For this moment.
Praise you Lord for your wondrous works and your gifts of grace and mercy. Even though I did not receive what I desired (eagles) I was blessed by Your presence and the gift of serenity.
