One of the things you may or may not know about me is that I love shopping.  Don’t worry, I’m not talking about some sort of Confessions of a Shopaholic syndrome.  I never go into “cool” stores.  If Kohl’s doesn’t sell it, then I’m not interested.  And, I refuse to buy anything full price.  That said, shopping can be a recreational activity for me.  So, this past year has been difficult as my shopping ability has been limited to the max.  No money = No shopping.  On the plus side, it’s been an excellent lesson in discipline for me.  And, as Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey says, if you live like no one else now, later, you will be able to live as no one else.  That said, when I was invited to a “Lei Sophia” jewelry party, I knew I was in trouble.

As I was walking out the door of our house, my ever disciplined and self-controlled husband said to me, “Don’t take the checkbook!”  I was okay at first.  I kept reminding myself of our upcoming vacation my in-laws are taking us on and that spending $30.00 here would be $30.00 less to spend at Disney World.  But the more I looked, the more the shopping fiend in me said, “it’s only….., it’s only…..”  However, through it all I stuck with the plan.  I held my ground and didn’t spend anything.  And when the ticket numbers were called for the two doorprizes (necklaces, both) my numbers were called!!  Of course, I only kept one of the necklaces.  And I felt so guilty about not buying anything that I booked a Lei Sophia party for July.  But I have to say, as I slipped that necklace around my neck, I felt like I was getting a little hug from God.  It was as if God was saying, “I know you, my little girl, and I’ve got you covered.”  Silly…yes.  And, if my seminary professors read this they would absolutely cringe at my consumeristic, entitled, Westernized theology.  But in that moment, I felt God speaking.  And the message I heard was, “I love you.”

So tell me, has God given you any little hugs lately?

Blessings and Peace,
Sara