Spending Habits

While on vacation to Ocean City, Maryland, I notice something that really made me think.

My husband, son and I were in the arcade trying to win tickets so my son could pick a prize. 1500 tickets will get you a rubber frog, mini slinky and temporary tattoos. Of course we had a great time playing games and winning tickets but as I am scrounging in the bottom of my purse for one more dollar, I am reminded of other ways I could spend that last dollar rather than putting it in a machine. 

I am instantly reminded of the children around the world who are hungry, thirsty and in need. I know my dollar wouldn't go very far but rather than spending $50.00 on silly objects, I could have donated this money and put it to good use. 

As I am standing in the arcade with an overwhelming sense of guilt, I decided I need to make a change in my careless spending. I will be doing more for my community so I know where my money is going!

I didn't say I won't ever have fun again. I am just more aware of my spending.

Perception

Sometimes I feel like I have a different outlook (for lack of a better word) than my fellow Christians. Confusing? Let me explain...it's not what you think.

I didn't grow up in a home that prayed before meals, went to church on Sunday mornings, went on mission trips or looked to God for guidance. We weren't atheists. We just didn't know what being a Christian was really about. My mom would tell us "If you are good you will go to Heaven.". To this day I am not sure if this was to make us behave or if she really thought this to be true.

Being on the outside looking in on the Christian faith, I always had my ideas of how "they" we're.

I thought Christians were all perfect mannered, well spoken and intelligent people who never used fowl language or smoke or drank...boy was I wrong.

Before we were married, my Husband and I would attend his childhood church for Sunday service. I was completely shocked to see that those who sat in the congregation were just like me. I overheard a conversation about a party that took place the night before that involved heavy drinking.

This is the part where the "different outlook" comes in...
Seeing that we are all sinners and that no one is better than anyone else was a revelation for me. For my Husband and his family, that's all they have known.

Before I decided to put my trust and faith in Jesus, I had a preconceived notion that I would not fit in because I wasn't perfect as I had assumed I needed to be. I was very relieved to know that I could worship and love Jesus and He would love me in return...flaws and all.