I love to stock up on things, especially if I find a good deal. I love being prepared and ready for when we need the next bottle of shampoo or lotion. I also love using something up and being able to throw it out - as long as I have the next jug of milk waiting for me in the fridge.
And stationary, school and office supplies? Don't even get me started!
There is a problem, though. My love of stocking up sometimes (quite often) leads to excess in a hoarding kind of way. I never use up all those birthday cards I bought before I buy more, and I tend to start using the new ones now that I have them.
This month I'm going through an Enough Experiment with Marla, and decided that I needed to concentrate on using up what we have and not spending money on more. What I have is enough, and if I run out then I can do without for a while (unless it's deodorant, but don't worry...I have 3 half used sticks).
The area in which I'm seeing the most impact is in the kitchen. It's driving me crazy that we have run out of milk, but we still managed to eat a delicious breakfast this morning. Really, it's making us eat what we don't normally eat - the food that sits in the pantry or freezer waiting for someday. The food that always gets looked over and neglected because of better, more appealing options.
Each day this week I've had the thought that I should go to the store and grab a few things, but there is also thrill in the challenge of making it through another day using up what we have. Even when it feels like we have nothing to eat, the reality is that we do....we actually have plenty to eat. It's also cut down drastically on the grocery bill, which is always a good thing. I know I'll be stepping into the grocery store within a few days, but I'll do my best to only buy essentials - keeping in mind that I want to use up what we already have.
I'm reminded a lot of Proverbs 30:7...(the verse for which this blog is named)
Two
things I ask of you, O LORD;
do
not refuse me before I die:
keep
falsehood and lies far from me;
give
me neither poverty nor riches,
but
give me only my daily bread.
I want to be content with what I have - my daily bread - not wanting more, and thankful that I don't have less.
My husband and I are learning to live with today for we know not what tomorrow brings. Our finances are fixed yet blessings of part-time tutoring jobs were gifted by God for me. I am learning to cook with less. I am still learning to halt my book buying. That lesson comes hard! But the irises above remind me that the lilies of the field have just the perfect amount of water and nourishment. And look at the radiant purple they are! They are gorgeous. Glad I came by from Essential Fridays.
ReplyDeleteCaring through Christ, ~ linda
I really appreciate this. It's something I value but not something I necessarily push myself to DO, you know?
ReplyDeleteeating from the pantry is a great idea for this challenge!
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to do the clean out the freezer and pantry every month before I do my big grocery shopping. We do have lots of food when we often times think we don't. Sometimes just need to get a little creative.
ReplyDeleteMy husband recently went out of town for a full week and I ate from the pantry and freezer the whole time he was gone and still have food! I am amazed at how much we had stocked away. We could probably go another week on what we have now.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and wise post. I will take this with me as I move through the rest of this week to help me identify my 'enough'.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Weekend Brew. Have a blessed week.
~ Cassandra from Renaissance Women
Learning to be content with what I have, it's an ongoing journey. Thank you for sharing at The Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful lesson here.. And your photos are beautiful Jill.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your weekend.
Hugs~