Forget Etiquette, Let's Talk About Money.

Most families talk about money. They talk about how they don't have enough. They talk about how they need just a little bit more for this or that. They talk about how once they have enough, that will be so nice and they finally won't want anything else. (*wink, yeah right!)

Most people consider money daily. We consider whether or not what we're doing at this moment is wasting or gaining us money. We consider whether or not the Starbuck's we're drinking was really worth the money we paid for it ($4!?).

Not to be left behind the curve, Tommie and I also consider money routinely. It's funny, God has provided so amazingly for us, and yet, we're not rich. Isn't that funny? God's greatest plan for us seems not to have us in a mansion right now with a giant swimming pool that would make my burgeoning belly seem light as air, a golden toilet to ensure my "poo" don't stink, or any of the other amenities I sometimes believe I have a right to. It seems, at this moment, God's plan for us is to be OK. We have enough for what we need.

I was thinking about all of this because we finally have almost finished paying for our kitchen. Our kitchen costs just a little under what it will cost us to have our baby. It made me think, if I had realized that before, would I still have wanted to remodel our kitchen? I think I would most definitely say, yes. Our other kitchen was nasty. I mean, actually nasty. But at the same time, we have some friends on a mission trip in Africa right now and they are seeing kids who got a second pair of the clothes for the first time in their lives this week. Now, that will make you think a bit about where you spend your money! Ha.

I often waver between guilt and satisfaction over my purchases and conveniences. I wonder if I've truly chosen what God would have me choose. I think when it comes down to it though, it's my attitude about money that matter most, not necessarily my actions with my money. After all, it is my attitude that will direct my actions. So, that being said, I look to Colossions, where our small group has been studying for the past couple weeks, and look at the verse that says, "Fix your mind on things above. Don't just consider the things here on earth." Monetarily speaking, that means trusting God with my money, purchasing items that forward his will, knowing what his will is so that I could possibly purchase those items, and above all, knowing that money isn't what will save and provide for me in this life-despite what it may seem.

Money will never make my life better. It may make it easier, but that's not necessarily better. God's plan is infinitely better. His provision-right on time, every time with exactly what we need. He has provided luxuries and he has provided chances to give so much it hurts us sometimes. It is his attitude we seek.