Possessions - Emily

Hmmm... possessions. I made several underlines in this chapter - lots of good little nuggets about our hearts being turned towards God in ALL things. Since I don't specifically earn an income I feel like the 'money issue' isn't as hard for me. I am 'in charge' of certain areas of spending, I can either be mindful or extravagant in those areas... and I've certainly been both. I honestly don't feel like I over-indulge in spending money on myself at all. Sure, I'd really love to go clothes shopping and get pedicures every 6 weeks, but the clothes I have are fine and I already own the polish from my cupboard. Not to say there's anything wrong with something new or some pampering, but it's important for me to make sure it's accounted for in the 'budget' and not going to be an extravagance that causes regret and stress as we near the end of the month. All that to say, I feel like I have a decent handle on the money thing....

BUT I have some serious refining to do in the way I spend my time. God has been showing me this softly over the last several weeks. I have a lot of 'loose' time in my weeks where I'm not really doing much of anything. I know that I could be using my time more efficiently and being a better model for my girls in that area. And with all the 'free time' I have there is no good reason that our house should be such a mess all the time..... again, an area I need some work on. I would have to say that my girls are a 'god' in the area of how I spend my time.... they get a lot of it. It's a balance issue.

And I know certain things are meant for certain seasons of life. I'd love to have a more 'open' home but right now that isn't the best for us.

At the beginning of the chapter Mary states "The Bible's perspective differs from the world's. Constantly buying stuff is not a trait of a woman who's smart..." And I immediately thought of 'retail therapy' and how much we can use that.... but what a better choice to use 'God therapy' by taking everything to Him in our times of stress and depending on Him for the things we need. Sometimes I am way to quick to rush out and buy something when I find out shortly after I've spent the $$ that somebody else had one they were giving away, or we didn't really need that item, or it doesn't actually work well, or hubby doesn't like it.... or any other of a slew of possibilities. I desire to get better at giving my desires to God and then listening to His Spirit to guide me.

And when Mary talks of the woman with the vase she says "The woman disregarded the vase until an expert told her the item's true worth. That's when she began to treasure it." and this made me think of my Bible, or the Bible in general. How many homes have dusty Bibles on shelves, not being valued.... but what a treasure His Word is!! It's the most important resource we have!! And He desires so much to speak to us through His Word. *Not really a possession issue, but something important that came to mind*

"In His economy, the truly rich woman is the one whose main aim in life is to serve Him as King. Her wealth lies in the currency of faith and good works, opening her hands to the poor, and reaching out her hands to the needy. She has a heavenly bank balance that no one can steal and nothing can erode." Wow - Couldn't sum it up better than that!

Of all the great thing He gives us, I pray that our deep desire would be to give back to Him as much as we possibly can; not in comparison to others, but out of a genuine love for Him!!