Spending Month Begins

Actually, we are a few days into spending month; I just haven't had a chance to blog about it yet. Spending month is all about consumerism. It sounds like such a dirty word. We all like to think we are above it, but I don't think we are. It's not just people who don't know Jesus, either. American Christians have grown comfortable in our freedoms and cultural excess; in many ways, we can not be easily differentiated from the world. I'm guilty of it, I know. Just last month I saw a pair of pants and a shirt that I HAD TO HAVE and within 24 hours of discovering them, I had them in my closet. I didn't need them and I wasn't out looking for them. I saw them, wanted them, bought them. Done. Granted, I very rarely do that. However, if I keep doing that, I'm going to be right back where I started in January: my house crammed full of so much stuff I don't even know what I have. No thank you.

This month, we are consciously limiting our spending to specific places/things:
1) church
2) bills
3) Elisabeth's school
4) Kroger/Walmart (groceries/necessities/gas)
5) Hobby Lobby (if I get a cupcake order and need supplies)
6) Subway and Truly Asian (We know we have a few very hectic days, so we built in a couple of "cheats" this month. We know we can get nutritious food fast from Subway and Truly Asian is a stellar Asian restaurant owned and operated by friends of ours. We know we can get quality REAL food there while supporting a local family business.)
7) emergencies (doctor, vehicle, etc.)

My friends Target, GAP, and Shadrach's didn't make the list. If you see me wandering through Target, make sure I'm not carrying anything to the check out, ok? Thanks.

When it comes down to it, I don't want to look like the world. I want my marriage to look different because of Jesus. I want my parenting to look different because of Jesus. I want my spending habits to look different because of Jesus. I want my closets and cupboards to look different because of Jesus. Sound crazy? Maybe. But I'm pretty sure Jesus never said, "Follow me so you can live like everyone else and then go to heaven." Nope. I should look different. Just money and things? Nope. What else can I do with my GAP and latte money? Give more to charities. Save for Angel Tree this Christmas. Give more to church. The possibilities are endless, but not our bank account. It all comes down to priorities and the heart. I want my heart to more easily follow Jesus and not the things my eyes see.

Just like possession and food months, I hope we come out of this one with a new perspective that sticks with us. Here we go.