Tuesday, April 04, 2006
3 down, one to go and feelin' it
The third piece of furniture has been purchased. A TV cabinet. The cabinet was our compromise. Steven didn't want to commit to a size TV and I wanted all electronics hidden. So now the TV is not hidden but everything else is. It looks good. So here has been my thoughts thus far. I do not spend just to spend. When I am thinking about purchasing even then smallest of items I go through this process of justification in my head. It drives Steven crazy and probably Matha too, because they are the two that get to listen to my justification rantings. I guess it is just my way of drawing a line between what I want and what I need and feeling okay about my splurge of new chapstick. With each furniture purchase I have gone through this same thought process. Do I really need this? Is this frivolous? Am I spending our money the way God calls us to spend money? I am having a really hard time defining what contentment means to me. I know it is okay to desire for your home to look nice. But are you going over board by spending hundreds of dollars on things you don't really need? Is my lack of contentment and greed fueling this decision? For example, the coffee table that our TV has been sitting on for the past 2 years is a perfectly good place for our TV to rest. It's sturdy and houses all of our electronics needs. Is it okay for me to want something better? Something that makes the TV sit higher and hides all the cords. I don't know! I have wrestled with this for most of 2006. I want to be a good steward of our money. Is spending money on furniture that we don't really need being a good steward? At what point is it okay for you to just buy something new, just because. I don't ever want our home to be a place that causes others to be discontent. So in defense of that desire I find myself explaining to people that I have saved and put aside money for all of this. That I deserve this in some way. (See "Why do I love furniture so much?" post) "Way to go Kelly, you saved money!" The truth is that it is not ours to spend. So if I look at it that way, would God buy us a TV cabinet, loveseat, buffet and couch? Is that how he would spend his money? Do people that live a much higher standard of life then we do go through this every time they spend too? I can't imagine. I can see how folks get themselves into major credit card debt when they aren't thoughtful about all this. We have only one more thing to get and because of all of this I am planning on changing that forth item to something significantly cheaper. Not to "toot my own horn" (how was that one Leslie?) it is just another process of justifying. Does anybody else understand what I am saying? Any words of wisdom or encouragement from my faithful readers? Am I being crazy about all of this?
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8 comments:
Hey! yea-Im glad you posted on mine cause now I found yours. You really made me think. I totally empathize with you about the hiding the cords, etc. for the tv, and the male/female battle over the size of the tv, etc. ha! I LOOOOVE decorating my home. Its one of my passions. And I dont think thats shallow to do, because I dont have name brand stuff. One of my hobbies is searching for just the right item. But I cherish making a cozy home for my family to come home to. I apreciate your post because it makes me think about how I can take things for granted. I think its ok to save up for the things you want and spend some money on. You cannot buy happiness. But as long as you are careful about it, I dont think God has a problem with your spending money on your home to look nice as long as your priorities are still in the right place, in other words, I think its ok to keep yourself in check, but don't drive yourself crazy about it. I am sure you are doing just that! hope that helps!
What is the fourth item? A loveseat? I agree with Ashley, my little over-analyzer.
well it was going to be a chair and a half but then I decided that because of space and money then a couch might be the better option. It's crazy that the chair and ottoman are more expensive then a couch. Well I guess it depends on what couch you are looking out. I can't help but analyze, I want to be the best Kelly I can be.
My guess is that you already know the answers to your questions (for yourself)...it usually happens that way. The toughest part is digging in and recognizing what you already know (for yourself)...and then deciding whether you're willing to face the consequences of how you feel about it...
If that's confusing, then go with this: you're not gonna have to visit hell over a new coffee table...but that doesn't always mean it's wise either. In the end, it's still just furniture. It's a call only you (and your husband of course) can make. My suggestion is: Make the call and go with it...and be willing to live with your call (whatever it is).
But hey, that's just me.
Oh, the walrus, you really are smart fellow. I guess the real issue is not the furniture. That is just the object that spurred the controversy in my heart. The issue is I need to work on God filling me up rather then stuff. I need to learn contenment isn't in what you have or how much of it you have. It is in wanting what you already have and finding joy in the fact that all things good or bad God should be praised for the way he works in our lives. He is so good to us! Also, Praise God for wonderfully fantastic husbands!!!
Wonderfully fantastic husbands! Amen! (I just like getting to say that...)
Kell, thanks for your post. I empathize with your thoughts. I tend to be an emotional spender, buy things to make myself feel better (less sad, more motivated, not bored). Contentment...I desire it fully as well!
As far as the furniture: Knowing you and Steven, I am positive that though you are making large (well thought-out & analyzed) investments, they are not just investments in things. Because you are going to use them to bless PEOPLE. I think that is the most important role of "things." Everytime you have a friend or some kids over to watch a movie or tv show, you are using that tv cabinet to bless others. You are going to be sharing your things! Perhaps you will pray big prayers with others upon your new couch OR chair and a half.
Thanks for blessing others with your life, your marriage, and your "stuff!" Love you...
I only consider myself "smart" when others who qualify tell me so...so thanks. But, yeah, thanks for the advice. It's taken well. Take care of my guy for me...
What are you waiting for in the way of updates?
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