here’s one from a few months back that is worth taking a look at…..
***************
my high
came not
from heavy drink or substance
but rather
from stuff.
Hi, My name is Karmen and I am a REDEEMED shop-a-holic
seriously.
I don’t hink enough people call it what it is..
sin.
lust of the eye
gluttony
here’s a bit more of my story:
I LOVED pretty things
clothes, shoes, clothes, accessories and did I mention clothes??
things for my house
things for outside
but mostly clothes for
me
and I treated myself
often
whether shopping for work clothes or lounging attire
only the finest would do
let it be said
here and now
I never said this was a pretty story…..
dropping a hundred plus on a dress..
or a bathing suit
or an outfit to sleep in
without a moment’s hesitation
my nine digit credit card number
memorized.
xxx-585-xxx
seriously. memorized.
I ordered online, over the phone or shopped this one particular OVER PRICED brand
weekly
and it was fine. but not really.
my Love, was a self employed farrier at the time (farrier=one who shoes horses)
Me, a school teacher
my level of shopping
far exceeded our means
deep down..I knew it
Cowboy Dan didn’t.
I was sneaky.
As quickly as my new goodies would arrive
they would strategically
vanish
into the laundry room
to be blended with old
rarely a word spoken …until
the statement would come
and I would have to ask for Love’s help
because my paycheck
rarely covered my habit..
week after week I would ask our Sunday school class to “please pray for me”
“I’m greedy. Pray that I will not be so greedy”
liar.
Looking back
that’s what I was
a liar
I didn’t mean it
The same empty words from would flow from my mouth
not
my heart
10 years this went on
and then
Tucker, our oldest rascal was born.
I wanted to take off work
and come home and mother
our blessing
but I couldn’t
who said so?
our bills
my bills
I was in bondage
to plastic
my heart became heavy
a new study was announced at church
Crown Financial
we signed up
for 10 weeks we studied what God says about stuff and money and stewardship
WHAMO!
CONVICTION rained down
H.E.A.V.Y hearted
my pathetic prayer of
“Help me not to be so greedy.”
became
“FATHER PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Father FORGIVE my vanity! Forgive my poor stewardship. Forgive my lust of the eye! Change me Father. I want to HONOR YOU with ALL that you have entrusted to me.”
my heart was no longer just heavy
it was broken
over my sin
and by His grace and because of HIS MERCY
I have been FORGIVEN.
REDEEMED.
Since and NOW
when I do I shop
I shop
THIFT STORES &
CLEARANCE
We GIVE MORE
why?
because we’re in accord with the wise King Solomon, the one who had it ALL and yet said
“Vanity of vanity. All is vanity.”
I can testify to
“LITTLE is MUCH when GOD is IN IT”!
we SPEND LESS!!!
instead of buying too much and asking for forgiveness
We pray and ask “Will this honor YOU Lord?”
No more secrets
I discuss with Cowboy Dan BEFORE I shop
“How much do we have to spend?”
I share my finds with him when I return.
Do I have to do this?
No.
It’s accountability
We do our best to know where HIS money goes..
It’s all HIS
the Lord’s
on loan to us
our desire
to be found FAITHFUL.
I share this ugly story
because
I’m a real girl
with real issues
who’s been FORGIVEN,
I’m REDEEMED
:O)
so what about you?? got any issues??
That’s good stuff!
Thanks Christa for reading and taking time to comment!
Good stuff! I love your honesty, it helps to know people have weaknesses yet are forgiven. He’s still working on me too. I could not afford to shop but would do it when depressed. It only lifted my spirit for a few hours,then guilt and disgust kicked in. Had to learn to forgive myself as God already had. Then I could trust Him. No I am not worthy of His love and forgiveness, but He still gives it. What a Saviour! He came that we might have life and that more abundantly. That does not mean abundance in earthly things, though He blesses us. But freedom of spirit, free from guilt, freedom from lusts of the flesh whatever they may be. Praise God!
AMEN SISTER! AMEN!