30 Days....Day 18

I have a confession to make. I bought something the other night without even thinking twice about it. I ordered some "free" pictures online and didn't think about the $2.07 in shipping. However, I have said no to several things. I think it's hardest to say no to other people. Yesterday I was approached to buy a $1 raffle ticket to support a local school. It would have been so easy to just hand over the dollar and be done with it. I think that's how a lot of my dollars "just go". It's not a bad thing, just not the best way I can use my money during this time in my family's life.

In the past 18 days, I've realized how blessed I am. I am given so much. I've had a couple of meals paid by work for inservices and such. We've had pizza and casserole brought by our parents. A friend gave me some cereal and soup. My brother brought lunch one day. I was given an early Christmas present and a late birthday present. I know there are other things I can't recall right now. The first week it seemed as if there was something given to me daily. All of this is not because of the 30 day thing, but things that would have gone on regardless. And yet, I still feel the need to "treat" myself. I have been given so much and rarely take time to think about it or express gratitude to the One who gave it all to me. I have said before that if God chose not to do another good thing in my life, that I have been given more than I ever deserved.

I want to learn how to delay my wants. We live in a society of "instant gratification". It's not just about saving money (which is just an added benefit). I want my kids to learn to be wise with their money and to use it as God would have them use it. I have a long way to go in learning this lesson myself.