During this first semester, I have been learning how to save money and also what things are actually worth buying. If you know me, you know that when I shop I immediately head to the back of each store where the clearance racks are and that I never like to spend more than $10 on one item. That's just me. I guess you could say that I'm a "penny-pincher," but in all reality, I'm just a poor college student.
When you think of the word generous, what do you think of? Do you think of someone who gives things? Someone who gives money? Someone who gives time? Effort? With Christmas just around the corner, it's hard for me (and maybe for you) not to associate generosity with the act of giving... giving things, in particular.
Things are good. I mean, who wouldn't want a new iPhone, that fancy looking guitar, or a shiny new toaster oven?! I'm sure the latest device is on everyone's Christmas list this year. But what I'm starting to realize about all these "things" is that while they are great and useful and impressive, they leave no imprint on my life, or yours. For example, I don't even remember what I got for Christmas last year. Do you? These things may make you feel good for a little while, but at the end of the day (or week, or month, or year)... did you change because of that one "thing"?
Another thing about "things" is that they can always be replaced. Broken lap top? Best Buy has thousands of those. Dent in your Fender? Guitar Center. Cracked iPhone screen? No problem. House burnt down? Eh. Hey, it still can be replaced. You see, the point that I'm trying to make is that it all comes down to the fact that all these "things" really don't mean anything at all. I'm not saying that it's bad to go out shopping or spend a little money on yourself every now and then, no way! Do it, girl (or guy)! What I'm saying is that it's pointless to put your hope in the satisfaction that these "things" give you because it will just leave you empty and worrisome. Trust me, I've been there. I'm sure you have too.
Ultimately, I find rest in knowing that my money is not mine. My house is not mine. My iPhone is not mine. My body is not mine. It all belongs to Jesus. And what I mean by that is, I don't have to worry because He already has it figured out. He knows how much money is in my bank account, and He has plans for whatever amount is in there (heck, I don't even know how much I have right now. HA.) if I just let go and surrender it all to Him. He can use everything in my life to give glory to Him in some way or another, so why would I keep holding on so tightly to the last $5 in my wallet when He calls me to spend it on something else other than coffee?
On Black Friday, I went shopping at Aeropostale (I see you judgin' but don't judge me let me explain first you judger) because the whole store was 70% off. Of course it was incredibly crowded in there, but I decided to go in anyway and look around. I found a really good deal on their skinny jeans, and so I quickly grabbed two pairs and tried them on and bought them. When I got home that day, I tried on one of the pairs again and they were super loose on me for some reason. I must have been in such a rush that I didn't even notice how they fit at the store when I tried them on.
This might sound dumb (and it must've been that time of month...) but I just remember breaking down that day because I had bought this pair of skinny jeans that didn't fit and I couldn't return them because all the things in the store were final sale. My emotions might have been because it seemed like I had just thrown my money away.
After moping around for a couple hours crying about my loose-fitting skinny jeans (I give you permission to laugh at me), I remembered that my church was collecting warm clothes for a homeless shelter in Milwaukee. Immediately, a rush of peace came over me then because I knew what I was going to do with my jeans. And I did exactly that.
Even more recently, I went to the thrift store with some of my friends and I bought a bunch of blankets because they were super cheap. Originally I was planning on giving them as gifts to my family, but then I remembered the warm clothing drive at my church and I thought to myself, "I have like five blankets on my bed right now, and so does everyone else in my family. Not to mention all the other blankets we have just sitting in our storage room downstairs." And so the Sunday after I had donated my jeans, I donated all those blankets too. The coolest thing about these blankets was that one had a bible verse on it, and the other one had the footprint Jesus poem written on it. If you don't know that story you should check it out, just google "footprint Jesus poem." Point being, some random person will be cuddling up to those blankets and then most likely read what they say. How cool is that :)
So there's the skinny jeans and blanket story. It's such a beautiful thing to let go and trust God, specifically in the way that you spend your money. I was so upset about buying the wrong size jeans, but just think: maybe there's a girl at the shelter in Milwaukee who doesn't even have a single pair of jeans, and she'll be able to wear the ones I donated. Maybe there's someone there that has never owned a blanket before and is able to cuddle up to one with the a little bit of the gospel written on it.
So all you poor college students out there, don't let the Christmas season bring you down just because you have no money to get your friends and family "things." There are so many other ways you can let someone know you appreciate them, and I'm sure they'll remember a nice handwritten letter (cost: $0.00) rather than a expensive sweater or something.
I want to encourage you all to let go of your financial stress and just give it to God. He knows what He wants to do with your (His) money, and all you have to do is trust Him.
