Merry Christmas...and C'est la vie to stilettos!

Can someone say…ouch?

Yep, these are the offending party of the after-church foot pain I have been experiencing today. If they look like they hurt, they do! (Oh, why do we girls do this to ourselves?)

These size 8 stilettos are likely the last purchase I made for myself in ’07…bought a couple of weeks ago for a Christmas party. But it’s for reasons other than the fact that they are the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn!

See, my husband and I have committed to do something in the months to come that is going to be both a challenge and a process. I could add a lot of fanfare to this, but I think I’d rather cut to the chase and just tell you about it…

For 6 months, we are not going to buy anything we want.

Yep, you heard me right: nothing whatsoever that is a “want” item.” Not a new picture frame or cute trendy top that makes me look skinny (for me)…no shiny new gadget or electronic “toy” or rims for the car (him). And…definitely no stilettos! (me, of course). :)

It was my hubby’s conviction – clearly prompted by God – to help him “fast” from constantly buying things because he can, not because he needs to. When he first told me about it a few months ago, I immediately thought about what a neat concept it was, but I was scared out of my mind to commit to it with him. “That’s awesome, honey,” I said, fully supportive. “I wish I could do it with you.” But for me, committing to something I won’t actually follow through with is not my m.o. I am a follow-through kind of girl.

If I say I will do it, I will…or I will die trying.

But God began to work in my heart, and this morning, I resolved it in my mind. I am going to join Scotty on a 6 month “fast” from buying anything I want. Things like basic necessities, toiletry items, etc., of course, we will still purchase. But the other STUFF will for 6 months be denied.

Please understand. I/we are not doing this for shock value or for bragging rights. Believe me, it is not going to be easy for me or for him. And I am DEFINITELY fully committing to this by verbalizing it for all of you and cyberspace to keep my accountable! (If you think of it, I would love for your prayers to go up for me about this!)

Some may think it's not that big of a sacrifice. But for us, it is. Some might think we are being a bit extreme since we really don’t live outside of our means. But he and I both feel like this is something God is calling us to do as a couple…and as an offering of gratitude for Him. And, we need to do it. (Me, much more so, than him) If I let it, shopping can be a stronghold for me. I might as well be honest about it.

My prayer through all of this is that 1) I will enjoy the bounty of what I already have (so much, too much!) 2) I will begin to get past a bad habit of impulse spending or the desire to want more 3) I will be an example to my children of self-control over self-indulgence and 4) I will go deeper in my relationship with God and rely on Him to fill any and every void or insecurity in my life.

Knowing God, this 6-month “fast” will take me places in my spiritual walk that I have long needed to go.

But I will keep my stilettos in close sight at all times, as they will be a reminder to me of an impulse purchase I made that I didn’t need…but rather, wanted. Ironically, the thing that I wanted so much one day sitting on a sales rack wound up causing me the most pain in the end! Hmmm…hear the symbolism at all in that?

So I put a challenge out to you today. I know it’s not the feel good thing to do with Christmas a mere 24 hours away! But in a way, it’s completely appropriate. Christmas is all about Him…and so is denying something that stands in the way of my relationship with Him.

But back to the challenge.

As you get ready to celebrate the start of a new year, think and pray about what God might want you to “fast” from in order to grow closer to Him. It may not be a shopping thing for you. But you and God both know what it is. What better present could you offer your precious Jesus than to give Him all of your heart, with no divided “loyalties?” If He truly is the reason for you to celebrate this season, then let Him know. All He wants for Christmas is you…all of you…and nothing less!

Rich blessings of a new kind to you in ’08!
Lisa

P.S. I cannot WAIT to start blogging in the new year! I am going to tell you more about what kind of things I am going to be talking about, but suffice it to say that I am going to be getting real…telling the truth…and going there. Where, you ask? You’ll have to check back with me to find out. I blog every Monday…and sometimes another time in the week when I just can’t wait until Monday to write! My next blog will hint at what is to come. Can’t wait to write it. Don’t miss it!