True confessions: We did it again! Our daughters are away tonight, so Steve and I stole some precious time alone with Micah. We've stumbled around, dazed, in a haze since we got "the news" so we were anxious to enjoy our evening with our son. He and Daddy wrestled, then we all snuggled on the couch and watched a movie.
Micah's favorite outing is hanging out at the Bass Pro Shop, a cross between a monstrous retail store and a wildlife museum, so when we asked him what he wanted to do tonight, we figured it was a no-brainer. But, he surprised us and said he wanted to eat Chinese food at one of our favorite haunts. Yikes, dilemma. We looked at his sweet, round face, then turned to each other and... caved. When we nodded our heads, he jumped up and down, wrapped his arms around Daddy's neck and said, "You mean we're breaking the rule for no reason at all?" Yes, we are. Again.
We started with cashew chicken and vegetable fried rice at Canton Inn, a quaint, cozy family-owned restaurant. Then we headed to Bass Pro where we gawked at the snakes, turtles, ducks and fish; "toured" pontoon boats on the showroom floor and relaxed in rocking chairs in front of the massive stone fireplace before leaving for home.
Oriental food: $14.80. An evening together enjoying our son: priceless. Especially now.
Saturday, January 24
Friday, January 23
Day 23: The Unlikely Healer
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am out of my mind today. I'm not sure I slept at all last night. Nausea and Kleenex are my constant companions. I can't seem to get my mind around my son's diagnosis and what it might mean for him. I'm grieving without even knowing what to grieve.
It's startling how quickly my convictions, no matter how trivial, go out the window the minute I get bad, okay terrible, news. For instance, there's my promise to myself to eat healthy. Gone. I don't care if, let alone what, I eat today. And, the only thing that sounds good is ice cream.
My family readily concurred with that assertion, so we betrayed our convictions and went out for ice cream. Actually it was frozen custard: sinfully delicious, terribly fattening, and ridiculously expensive (to the tune of $15.60, the price of about two gallons of ice cream). But we did it anyway. There's probably no doctor or counselor anywhere that would admit chocolate custard blended with raspberries and topped with hot fudge facilitates emotional healing. But you'll never convince me.
It's startling how quickly my convictions, no matter how trivial, go out the window the minute I get bad, okay terrible, news. For instance, there's my promise to myself to eat healthy. Gone. I don't care if, let alone what, I eat today. And, the only thing that sounds good is ice cream.
My family readily concurred with that assertion, so we betrayed our convictions and went out for ice cream. Actually it was frozen custard: sinfully delicious, terribly fattening, and ridiculously expensive (to the tune of $15.60, the price of about two gallons of ice cream). But we did it anyway. There's probably no doctor or counselor anywhere that would admit chocolate custard blended with raspberries and topped with hot fudge facilitates emotional healing. But you'll never convince me.
Thursday, January 22
Day 22: Rules, Schmules
I went out to lunch today with a friend. We had been trying to get together for a while, but our schedules usually clash. So when she had an open lunch date, I hesitated but decided to make an exception to the eating-out rule. And thank God I did.
About halfway through lunch, the doctor who's been seeing my 6-year-old son for unexplained abdominal pain called my cell phone with devastating news: My son has the same autoimmune liver disease that I was diagnosed with when he was a newborn.
As I hung up, I dissolved into tears, numb with disbelief and scared of what the future holds for him. But God had already provided for my comfort, before I even knew I would need it. My friend is a wise and steadfast Christian and just happens to be a psychologist. She listened as I lamented, reassured me of God's love and providence and prayed for me and my family in the parking lot as we left. As I drove away, I was reminded that being led by God's spirit, instead of our own self-imposed rules, opens the door for Him to work in our lives and circumstances, all in His perfect timing. What an unexpected blessing during a trying time.
About halfway through lunch, the doctor who's been seeing my 6-year-old son for unexplained abdominal pain called my cell phone with devastating news: My son has the same autoimmune liver disease that I was diagnosed with when he was a newborn.
As I hung up, I dissolved into tears, numb with disbelief and scared of what the future holds for him. But God had already provided for my comfort, before I even knew I would need it. My friend is a wise and steadfast Christian and just happens to be a psychologist. She listened as I lamented, reassured me of God's love and providence and prayed for me and my family in the parking lot as we left. As I drove away, I was reminded that being led by God's spirit, instead of our own self-imposed rules, opens the door for Him to work in our lives and circumstances, all in His perfect timing. What an unexpected blessing during a trying time.
Wednesday, January 21
Day 21: Food, Not Medicine
Well, isn't this just self-discovery month for me? Not exactly what I was hoping for when we swore off eating out. Sigh. Today's "Life Lesson for Lisa" was that I use food, especially restaurant food, to self medicate when I'm sad or stressed.
Our beloved 98-year-old neighbor, Pauline, passed away and her funeral was today. Since neither she nor we have family in the area, we sort of adopted each other over the past decade. She was self-sufficient, spunky and smart. (The library delivered 12 books to her once a month, and she read every one of them.) Her stories entertained us; her independence amazed us, and her card-playing ability was legendary. (She won every time she played against my kids.) Her light shone bright in our neighborhood and in our lives. We loved her dearly and miss her already.
All that to say that I really wanted Chinese food today. I managed to convince myself that hot, steamed rice, seasoned veggies and tender chicken would heal my heart. What a sad commentary on the place food occupies in my life. My head knows that food can't comfort in the wake of grief, that Chinese take out won't bring Pauline back. But I was willing to give it a try. To be brutally honest, if it weren't for knowing I had to be accountable to others via this blog, I would have thrown my promise out the window and sprinted straight for Canton Inn.
So, maybe this month isn't about frugality at all, at least not entirely. Or, maybe our hearts' desires manifest themselves through the ways we spend money, even-maybe especially-when we're in pain.
Our beloved 98-year-old neighbor, Pauline, passed away and her funeral was today. Since neither she nor we have family in the area, we sort of adopted each other over the past decade. She was self-sufficient, spunky and smart. (The library delivered 12 books to her once a month, and she read every one of them.) Her stories entertained us; her independence amazed us, and her card-playing ability was legendary. (She won every time she played against my kids.) Her light shone bright in our neighborhood and in our lives. We loved her dearly and miss her already.
All that to say that I really wanted Chinese food today. I managed to convince myself that hot, steamed rice, seasoned veggies and tender chicken would heal my heart. What a sad commentary on the place food occupies in my life. My head knows that food can't comfort in the wake of grief, that Chinese take out won't bring Pauline back. But I was willing to give it a try. To be brutally honest, if it weren't for knowing I had to be accountable to others via this blog, I would have thrown my promise out the window and sprinted straight for Canton Inn.
So, maybe this month isn't about frugality at all, at least not entirely. Or, maybe our hearts' desires manifest themselves through the ways we spend money, even-maybe especially-when we're in pain.
Tuesday, January 20
Day 20: Give and Be Blessed
I'm sipping a pumpkin spice, white mocha steamer while I blog. Don't panic; I used the Starbucks gift card I got for Christmas. I didn't spend a dime. (Gotcha!)
Purely by coincidence, I'm sure, I turned on the radio this morning to hear Dr. David Jeremiah speaking about how God blesses those who honor Him with their money. This is not the "prosperity gospel"; far from it. It's God's promise throughout Scripture to bless those who give to His work. Two examples: "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (Prov 22:9, NIV) "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." (Prov 28:27, NIV) In describing a virtuous woman, God says in Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Since I don't believe in coincidences and I do believe God's promises, I took that as a charge and drove to Wal Mart.
Our local Pregnancy Care Center is trying to collect one TON (that's right, 2,000 pounds) of diapers and wipes before January 31st, so my first stop was the infant aisle for three packages of diapers and three boxes of wipes. Then, I hit the grocery aisles to stock up on kid-friendly foods, like granola bars, packages of peanuts, pop-top canned chicken and pasta for a local elementary school who started a "Soul Food" program. They provide backpacks full of convenient, nutritional food every Friday to kids who might need additional food over the weekend. I didn't spend a lot, but it was one of the most heartwarming Wal Mart trips I've ever taken. For a grand total of $50.56, I was able to give hope and encouragement to a scared, young mom. God will also use that money to provide for that mother's newborn child and fill tiny tummies elsewhere in the city. What a perfect example of how a lot of people each doing a little can demonstrate God's love for ALL people, including single moms, unborn (and newborn) babies and hungry children.
I challenge each of you to start looking today for ways to give-not just money but also your time and energy. Show God's love and invest in other people's lives in meaningful ways. When you do, you don't have to worry about your needs being met. The maker and owner of ALL promises that He will provide for you and, in the process, you'll be blessed beyond measure. I know I was.
Purely by coincidence, I'm sure, I turned on the radio this morning to hear Dr. David Jeremiah speaking about how God blesses those who honor Him with their money. This is not the "prosperity gospel"; far from it. It's God's promise throughout Scripture to bless those who give to His work. Two examples: "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (Prov 22:9, NIV) "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." (Prov 28:27, NIV) In describing a virtuous woman, God says in Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Since I don't believe in coincidences and I do believe God's promises, I took that as a charge and drove to Wal Mart.
Our local Pregnancy Care Center is trying to collect one TON (that's right, 2,000 pounds) of diapers and wipes before January 31st, so my first stop was the infant aisle for three packages of diapers and three boxes of wipes. Then, I hit the grocery aisles to stock up on kid-friendly foods, like granola bars, packages of peanuts, pop-top canned chicken and pasta for a local elementary school who started a "Soul Food" program. They provide backpacks full of convenient, nutritional food every Friday to kids who might need additional food over the weekend. I didn't spend a lot, but it was one of the most heartwarming Wal Mart trips I've ever taken. For a grand total of $50.56, I was able to give hope and encouragement to a scared, young mom. God will also use that money to provide for that mother's newborn child and fill tiny tummies elsewhere in the city. What a perfect example of how a lot of people each doing a little can demonstrate God's love for ALL people, including single moms, unborn (and newborn) babies and hungry children.
I challenge each of you to start looking today for ways to give-not just money but also your time and energy. Show God's love and invest in other people's lives in meaningful ways. When you do, you don't have to worry about your needs being met. The maker and owner of ALL promises that He will provide for you and, in the process, you'll be blessed beyond measure. I know I was.
Monday, January 19
Day 19: Give Like You Mean It
Today I discovered another benefit of not eating out and buying only essentials: It took me about half the time it usually does to reconcile my bank account, and we had only forgotten to write down one $3 transaction. Woo hoo! I could get used to that.
Another bonus: I can already see some progress toward our goal of giving more. We commit to a minimum amount of giving each month, but we want the freedom to give on the spur of the moment, as needs arise, not just to the ministries we partner with. Without getting into the details, an opportunity to invest in a teenager's life presented itself yesterday. If we had eaten out after church the past two Sundays, we wouldn't have been able to meet this particular need. But, for about the cost of two meals out, we can give a teenager the chance to attend a life-changing weekend event. Now that's a check I felt good about writing.
Another bonus: I can already see some progress toward our goal of giving more. We commit to a minimum amount of giving each month, but we want the freedom to give on the spur of the moment, as needs arise, not just to the ministries we partner with. Without getting into the details, an opportunity to invest in a teenager's life presented itself yesterday. If we had eaten out after church the past two Sundays, we wouldn't have been able to meet this particular need. But, for about the cost of two meals out, we can give a teenager the chance to attend a life-changing weekend event. Now that's a check I felt good about writing.
Sunday, January 18
Day 18: Down, But Not Out
We crashed and burned today. I did manage to resist the temptation to grab a salad from one of my favorite restaurants after church and ate leftover chili instead. But Steve got stuck in the traveling trap and ate out - twice. The family planned to meet for lunch at a Mexican restaurant to celebrate his sister's birthday. But her son got sick, and they had to run Plan B - lunch at the lone restaurant in the small town where his mom lives. They don't offer kids' meals and the only Sunday option is the buffet. So thirty dollars and a couple of hours later, my family headed for home. Steve packed leftovers from lunch and last night's party for the trip, but there wasn't enough for everyone, so the three kids each ordered two items off the Wendy's dollar menu. Soda's a real killer, in more ways than one, so we rarely ever order it. The kids don't even ask anymore.
Grand total spent on eating out today: $36. It's a little disappointing that we couldn't make it work all month, but to put it in perspective: We used to spend about $35 every week after church, so we're still almost $100 ahead. Tomorrow's a new day, and the month isn't over yet.
I've eaten up all the leftovers this weekend, so I need to hit the grocery store or our eating out grand total is going to climb.
Grand total spent on eating out today: $36. It's a little disappointing that we couldn't make it work all month, but to put it in perspective: We used to spend about $35 every week after church, so we're still almost $100 ahead. Tomorrow's a new day, and the month isn't over yet.
I've eaten up all the leftovers this weekend, so I need to hit the grocery store or our eating out grand total is going to climb.
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