"hmm... yeah, my pots and pans do look a little dingy"
" that new kitchen-aid mixer my husband surprised me with is an older model now... they have that glass bowl now... I like this color more.. of course, that may mean repainting my kitchen and then I'll need new curtains...."
"those lamps are all wrong for my living room"
" I should have a sweater like that for the holidays...I have those other 5, but they aren't quite like this style...
"think of all the kids' programs and games and recitals I could record with that video camera- that doesn't use a small VHS tape"
"ohh... that dress is cute, Maicy should have that!"
"Hmm... I wonder if Jackson would like that"
Suddenly, everything that I was more than happy with, becomes old worthless junk. No longer good enough. Every year I go through this. I page through catalog after catalog, pining after things that will not in anyway make my life better. Because the ultimate gift is not a thing. It's a Savior. None of this stuff even comes close to filling that spot in my life. It only distracts me from the focus of the Christmas season.
I walk to the mailbox. I keep the cards from friends and family, set the bills in the organizer, and toss without even opening, the endless supply of catalogs and sale fliers. If I didn't know I needed it before I saw it, I certainly don't need it now. (and in case my son or husband is reading this, no, I did NOT throw away the Cabela's fliers- yes, I realize those are "different")
What about you? What great ideas do you have to help stop the commercialism from distracting you from the true meaning of this holiday?
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
6 comments:
Such a timely post, Alicia. I am not even opening the catlogs this year, either. I must say in a strange was, it is empowering. Although Cabelas is different here, too!
Alicia,
This is the first year I've really put up a fight against commercialism, but what I've discovered has really surprised me. I thought it would be much easier to put the breaks on the spending of others (aka relatives!), but it isn't. I can say that we are spending less and doing more this year, but my kids still receive the "more is better" message from them.
Oh, I still have a lot to learn regarding this one!
That one gets tougher each year. I think volunteering for those less fortunate is a good redirection, too.
Thankfully, I don't have that problem, I'll let things go forever. Hugs friend! :O)
First of all, I am touched you remember our bloggy introduction through The Nester party last year! I wish we could meet at Starbucks to discuss all that has happened in our lives since then!
(A LOT!)
I must admit, as I was decorating on a rather modest budget this year, I clicked around via internet and saw about 12 different houses I'd readily trade for the decor in! Then I remember it is not what the house looks like that matters this Christmas, it is the dear, sweet, precious family inside that really stirs my soul. Dress it up anyway you want, but to me everything else really is just 'junk'!
I love this -- "If I didn't know I needed it before I saw it, I certainly don't need it now."
So true! I'm just trying to surround myself with the truth of the season, from carols that sing of that truth to words from the Word. And I'm writing about it.
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