Bob and I are frugal people. It is by choice. Sometimes that isn’t as easy as it sounds. We have a habit of not purchasing anything until we have the cash to pay for it. Good solid plan. We also make a point of saving and/or investing between 30-35% of our income towards retirement which is creeping up fast. Again, a good solid plan. We also tithe and give to charitable organizations which averages between 10-13%. Now, you can already see that just with these numbers that leaves at most 60% to live on and to try to save for purchases. Ah but I love a challenge……..usually. Then that sinful ,covetous nature starts to rear its ugly head on occasion.
My biggest temptation of late has been our living room. There is 20 year old carpet in it. It is flat, rippled in spots and just plain yuck. But it doesn’t stop there. On top of this carpet is some seriously ugly miss matched, run down old furniture. I walk into that room with dustrag and vacuum in hand and want to flee crying what is the use. I have been sorely tempted to say to Bob…”Let’s just replace all this and put it on credit just this once.” That is some seriously weak flesh talking there. But then I remember to pray and God convicts me and gives me strength and we as a result are still living with “that” room. LOL
So, what exactly is it about that room that really bothers me? After all…it is just furniture and carpet. Our every “need” is taken care of. God has been very good to us. We have a home, food, clothing, grain put away for the drought years…we are good. But….satan loves to tweak our flesh doesn’t he? I will admit here that I am embarrassed to have people see my living room. Oh my goodness. What I should be feeling, and do at this moment, is feel shame for feeling like that. I repent and ask God for forgiveness for my selfish, greedy nature. Why is it so easy for us as humans to give more weight to what we think other people will think of us then what our Lord does? Why is window dressing so all important? It is as scripture says in Luke 16:15 “He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” So when I am looking down at my carpet what I need to remember to do is look up to my Father. That is where my riches are and they are eternal.
I enjoy watching the show “House Hunters”. It seems like such a fun way to spend 30 minutes. I always try to guess which house the couple will buy. Usually I get it right. But what looks like such a benign little activity is actually planting seed in me of discontent. I watch this show and suddenly I feel myself comparing our home to those shown. We are usually the home they are trying to get away from. (Do you ever feel like your life is a constant “before” picture?) The biggest tool used to breed coveting and discontent is the act of comparison. Even listening to the potential buyers makes one shrink inside when they speak in disgust that the kitchen counters are not granite or that the bathroom doesn’t have a Jacuzzi. As a sidenote…we also have replacing our countertops on our to-do list of home improvements. They are nasty too.
Most people would take out a home equity loan and just “do the house up right”. We see our sizable amount of equity as part of our retirement plan and we are committed to that plan. We remind ourselves that instant gratification always causes problems down the road. Instant gratification is why I find myself now on Weight Watchers. LOL So, what we do is save for optional purchases. Think about it…decorating is an optional expense. We spent the last few years placing money into things we had to for the house. We replaced the roof and chimney and the heating and cooling unit. We had to replace a vehicle in that space of time too. Unfortunately we had to take a loan for that but what was a five year loan we paid off in 18 months. The car prior to that was paid for in cash. We have managed to replace the three bedroom carpets with wood flooring. An optional expense but one we had the money saved for. And now we sit here putting money away for the next optional expenditure. And when my flesh takes over it seems like it is taking too long for my liking. Oy.
I think I’m the only one in the house that looks forward to this “improvement”. The kids would rather it stays as is because it means they need not be careful in the living room and can still snack away in there and rough house. The dogs are happy because no one really says anything about them crawling up on the furniture so they can lie beside you. But they all know that once I replace all these things in that room…the cleaning nazi in me comes out and I’ll be barking at everyone, including the dogs, to keep everything nice. Hmmm…..that doesn’t sound pleasant for anyone.. including me. Is this going to be another classic lesson in watch what you wish for? Something to ponder.
In the meantime if any of you good people happen to stop by for a visit and see the condition of our living room…..don’t feel sorry for us….we have chosen to live like this. LOL
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