5/11/08 - Mother's Day

Today has been a great day, apart from the fact that my cold seems to be coming back, and now Dave’s getting it, too. I hate that.  I hope we’re all well before we have to fly.  Dave made breakfast this morning, and then we went to church.  The pastor’s wife and her mother taught a special message for Mother’s Day.  I don’t know why, but I always enjoy it when a woman speaks.  Foursquare churches have a century-long tradition of women in positions of power and authority, even as pastors, so it’s not surprising for this church to have women teaching.  Still, it’s refreshing to be in a church where women are free to use their gifts and talents without anyone questioning it. 

 

After church we brought the girls home and put them down for naps, and I went for an hour of kid-free shopping.  Yay!  I needed to get a sweater to wear with my dress for the wedding on Thursday, since it’s going to be outdoors, and probably not warmer than the 60’s.  Of course I stopped to peek into the children’s clothing stores, and they were having big clearance sales.  All those outfits are so adorable!  But even on clearance, they’re still pretty pricey.  Who pays $14 for a tiny top they’re going to outgrow in 3 months, and then $9 for the bottoms?  How can you afford to build a whole wardrobe on those prices? 

 

I actually started feeling a little sorry for myself, that I couldn’t just buy whatever I liked, and had to be frugal and not spend money we didn’t have.  I used to think I was a disciplined shopper because I always bought things on clearance, and didn’t buy name brands.  But true discipline is NOT BUYING at all, once the money budgeted for that expense is gone.  A few months ago I would have just put it on the card to “take care of later” (which is how you nickel and dime yourself into thousands worth of debt).  Now the cards are gone and we just pay cash, so we stop where the money ends.  For the first time, my resolve to live debt-free was really being tested.  As I walked out feeling bummed to leave those cute outfits behind, I suddenly felt convicted in my heart over my attitude.  What right did I have to feel deprived, when my kids have everything that they need?  They’re warm, well-fed, healthy and clean.  Mothers across the world right now are struggling just to feed their kids, and here I am pouting because I can’t buy an extra outfit they don’t need anyway.  The girls have plenty of clothes right now, and they don’t need every cute fashion statement that catches my eye. 

 

Sometimes I just have to remind myself: there’s nothing wrong with buying a couple of adorable extra outfits, if you actually have the money.  But otherwise, it’s important to live simply.  That can be hard when you’re not used to saying “no” to yourself, but it’s the only way to invest in the future and get ahead.  If you live like no one else now, then later you get to “live like no one else”, and have the resources to give generously, too.  It takes discipline to live within your means, but it’s worth it in the end!