I have three papers to type in the next two weeks. I may be a little out of it during that time. The good thing is I have all of my report cards ready to go for the end of this week. They seemed worse than the laundry and papers combined. I am ready for this part of the school year to be over with.
My real thoughts tonight are about making do. The economy is bad, yak cough yak, unemployment is at its highest in the last 25 years, yes I know my husband has been home for NINE MONTHS NOW, etc etc etc... I could be doom and gloom and go on for hours.
The real problem in my opinion is that we Americans are unable to just make do. We want more, more, more. I will be the first to admit that was very caught up in that life style. I only wanted brand name clothes, the kid only wore Gymbo, I needed to present an image. Well it is just that an image. I am learning that real people and real friends do not care where you live, what you drive, and about what you wear. Maybe I am trying to rationalize this in my head so bear with me.
We have made do with one car since July. It can be done. It is not easy but we make do. We only buy clothes when we really need them. I am proud to say the last time I did get myself something it serves a dual purpose of work and casual and it was on clearance at the mother land, i.e. Old Gravy. I get textbooks from the public library.
You know what, it feels good. It feels good to not try to keep up with the Jones'. It feels good to just be us. We are in the process of making some new friends and shedding some old ones and that feels good too.
So, I thank God each day that our bills are paid, we have a house and car, food in our tummies and clothes on our backs. I know that the Father will provide work for Mike when he sees fit or lead us to new opportunities.
4 comments:
Sounds like you and my husband are learning the same lesson - it's OK not to have all the newest things or the name brand things. I wish I could have gotten that through his head 10 years ago though!
We're also making due with 1 car - I think it's been 16 months now?? It's tough at times, but I work at home and cannot go to my second job without him being home to watch the girls anyway. SO it's pretty rare that it's a problem for us!
Hang in there! I'm glad you are being smart!
Thanks Leia, It has been hard to learn this lesson. We live in such a more is better society that you can get wrapped up in image very easily. I am learning... even right now I as I surrounded by youngsters that are wearing boots that I could feed our family with for two weeks if I sold them on ebay!
Wendy, you may not believe this, but those clothes I just bought from Chadwick's.....were the first clothes I bought for my self since we lived in Virginia (2005) I bought a couple of jeans from wal mart since then, but that's it!I am usually that last one on the list to get clothes(the kids always need clothes and Josh works!). That's why I was so excited when I did :)
Amen Sister! Since I started "staying home" we have learned about the difference between needs and wants. My biggest problem is saying no to a "want" that is two or three dollars. But those can really add up too! But I think we are much more satisfied with out lives than some of our extended friends who are tied hand and foot to their debt so that they could have all the "things". My heart breaks for them sometimes when it seems they are defined by those things.
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