I hate to admit it, but I find myself pinching pennies event when it comes to the weekly collection at Church. I am by no means poor, but I am at least towards the bottom of the "middle class". I grew up pinching pennies for so long, being from a single parent household, that the thought of buying anything but generic/store brand items makes me feel like I am breaking the bank. So how, after doing everything to save every bit of money that I can, can I find myself able to break from that?
Well, I realized when I was shopping the other day, that if I look at the true value of what I am purchasing, I can warrant spending a little extra. For example, I believe it was Hunts Tomato Sauce, had a label on it that mentioned I could put in a code and they would donate money to hungry children. Well, the sauce was probably only about $0.50 more than what I would normally pay, but the payoff of helping those who don't even have the luxury of getting their food without assistance, was so much bigger. I also noticed all of the cereals and other items with the school box tops. Well, having a toddler at home, and a child-like husband (who is the one who always picks out the sugariest cereal he can find), means I go through a lot of cereal. This means, a lot of boxtops I can help donate to a local school (and then my daughters school when she finally goes, though hopefully that won't come too fast).
So now, instead of thinking about how much I can save on what I buy, I try to see first how much I can do with what I buy.
Taking this step has helped me loosen my purse strings quite a bit. Me and my husband have our own personal accounts, along with a joining account, and I try to pre-date as much of my bills from my personal account, then leave just enough in there to cover gas and emergencies, before transferring all that remains into the joint account. Well, I get paid bi-weekly, and I realized I can do a lot by just taking $80.00 if each paycheck and dividing it up over the two weeks before the next, before I find out how much I can put into savings. This gives me $40.00 each week, $20.00 of which now goes to the regular Church collection, then $20.00 to split between the second collection (this usually goes to maintenance of the church, projects, sister Churches etc.) and charity.
I have actually found myself having fun just looking at the various charities that I can send that extra $10.00 each week to. There are so many out there that I don't want to donate to just one. I also am finding different projects that charities are hosting/donating to, so that I can see if I can use my other talents (like my love of crocheting) to assist with.
I many not be rolling in the money, but this does not mean that I should hoard all of the money I do have for myself. My husband sometimes may tell me otherwise, but that is the luxury of having my separate account, I can do whatever I want with that money from my paycheck. That is part of the thing to, I don't want to just do what I want, but what is right. I sometimes want to buy that wonderful dress I saw at the store, but how many times will I wear it? How many dresses do I have in my closest I don't wear as it is? Do I really need a 7th or 10th pair of jeans when someone else may not have any?
I always thought that taking my friends hand me downs was great, it meant I didn't have to spend any money of the clothes I had. Then I realized, it was giving me clothes I honestly didn't even need. Now I need to take my thrifty, frugal ways, and try to make them work for others and not myself. I am not the only one who matters in this world, and my family is not the only family that matters. We all matter, and we need to remember that when we have more than we truly need to survive and thrive.
If there is anyone else out there who is reading this, or any of my future posts, and is either struggling with their faith and needs someone to share their fears and doubts with, or anyone who just wants to share words of encouragement and faith so that everyone can hear, please don't hesitate to leave a note on this blog. This is not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know that they are truly not alone out there and someone else may be going through the same things that they are now, or have gone through the same things in the past.
Thank you all of listening and Gold Bless!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Old lessons
One of the most interesting books I have ever read just happens to be the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. To read any book written about such an influential historical figure would be eye opening, but to read a book written by the same person is just fascinating. A lot of what he wrote has stuck with me, but the most interesting part of the book was the section where he talks about all of the virtues he tried to posses, and more interestingly, was how he actually worked at possessing them. He took about 13 virtues, and gave them each a brief synopsis, such as the virtue of "Humility" with the synopsis of "Imitate Jesus and Socrates". He then went so far as to make a listing fore each week with all 13 of the virtues he wished to be master of, and would mark each offence of the day under the corresponding virtue in hopes that one day he would have no marks in any of them.
I decided to take similar stock on virtues that I would like to posses with both the definition of the virtue, and a brief synopsis. I also have put these into a journal and have been working all week to mark try and mark each offense in the corresponding columns.
Like Franklin, I also have been working on one specific virtue through out the week and leaving all other virtues to chance through out so that I may hope to leave no markings in that virtue before moving on to concentrate on the next.
This has proven to be a somewhat difficult task as I have been trying to mark all of my transgressions at the end of the day, instead of the moment that it has occurred. As my journal is discreet enough to stay within my purse, I think I may deviate from Franklin's nightly tally and work on marking things as they occur instead.
Reading this autobiography has also inspired in me a desire for educational reading, as I see that Franklin has spent a lot of time educating himself in such an amazing way.
I feel, that I read too much for pleasure's sake and need to re-evaluate my reading materials. I have come up with a plan, which I think may prove more useful to myself than my reading has before this. I do not want to take away all of my fictional reading, but to lessen it by taking time to read one educational book (be it a more historical, science, mathematical, political, or other more educational subject), along with more faith based reading (such as books on the saints, the Catholic faith, or other more spiritual reading). Only after having read these, will I allow myself the indulgence of fictional reading. Even then I am going to try to be a bit more selective of this reading to ensure I am introducing new (or new to me) books rather than reading Jane Austen for the 13th time. There are so many books out there, it is time I introduce different materials into my library.
With this, I hope to spend my time becoming a better person for God, a person that he can be proud of, and that my family can be happy to have.
I believe that nothing truly happens by accident. Even the smallest thing, like finding this autobiography, can make a big impact in your life just when you need it most. The Lord knows what you need, even when you don't. I also believe that certain people are placed in the world to help God in his plans for us, both in their time, and through out history.
If there is anyone else out there who is reading this, or any of my future posts, and is either struggling with their faith and needs someone to share their fears and doubts with, or anyone who just wants to share words of encouragement and faith so that everyone can hear, please don't hesitate to leave a note on this blog. This is not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know that they are truly not alone out there and someone else may be going through the same things that they are now, or have gone through the same things in the past.
Thank you all of listening and Gold Bless!
I decided to take similar stock on virtues that I would like to posses with both the definition of the virtue, and a brief synopsis. I also have put these into a journal and have been working all week to mark try and mark each offense in the corresponding columns.
Like Franklin, I also have been working on one specific virtue through out the week and leaving all other virtues to chance through out so that I may hope to leave no markings in that virtue before moving on to concentrate on the next.
This has proven to be a somewhat difficult task as I have been trying to mark all of my transgressions at the end of the day, instead of the moment that it has occurred. As my journal is discreet enough to stay within my purse, I think I may deviate from Franklin's nightly tally and work on marking things as they occur instead.
Reading this autobiography has also inspired in me a desire for educational reading, as I see that Franklin has spent a lot of time educating himself in such an amazing way.
I feel, that I read too much for pleasure's sake and need to re-evaluate my reading materials. I have come up with a plan, which I think may prove more useful to myself than my reading has before this. I do not want to take away all of my fictional reading, but to lessen it by taking time to read one educational book (be it a more historical, science, mathematical, political, or other more educational subject), along with more faith based reading (such as books on the saints, the Catholic faith, or other more spiritual reading). Only after having read these, will I allow myself the indulgence of fictional reading. Even then I am going to try to be a bit more selective of this reading to ensure I am introducing new (or new to me) books rather than reading Jane Austen for the 13th time. There are so many books out there, it is time I introduce different materials into my library.
With this, I hope to spend my time becoming a better person for God, a person that he can be proud of, and that my family can be happy to have.
I believe that nothing truly happens by accident. Even the smallest thing, like finding this autobiography, can make a big impact in your life just when you need it most. The Lord knows what you need, even when you don't. I also believe that certain people are placed in the world to help God in his plans for us, both in their time, and through out history.
If there is anyone else out there who is reading this, or any of my future posts, and is either struggling with their faith and needs someone to share their fears and doubts with, or anyone who just wants to share words of encouragement and faith so that everyone can hear, please don't hesitate to leave a note on this blog. This is not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know that they are truly not alone out there and someone else may be going through the same things that they are now, or have gone through the same things in the past.
Thank you all of listening and Gold Bless!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Back in the habit
I have not posted in a bit, as there is are a lot of things going on in my family life. But, isn't that always the way? You go to Church on a regular basis and start feeling comfortable, then one thing comes up and you say "It's okay if I miss this week, I'll make sure I go next week." But, then you find yourself in the same dilemma again and again and again. My big issue this time around is that my husband, who typically works on Sunday's, has had the day off the past couple of weeks. He, is not a fan of The Church, and can feel that I am neglecting him if I choose to attend Church (without my daughter who he does not want at church unless I am the only one home and she has to come) on a day he has off. If my daughter was a bit older and could handle going to a later Mass, I would at least be able to take her to a later Mass. But at this time, the later Masses happen to be during her nap time.
At these times, I find myself at a cross roads, I have made a commitment to my husband and in front of God, to honor and obey him. But, when is it right not to, and how should I handle a situation like this?
I know deep down, that going to Church is very important to me, and for my daughter as this is the only exposure to God that she will have outside of what I talk with her about.
I work hard at praying to, and communicating with, God on a daily basis as I feel this is the most important part of my day. Is this enough? Does God understand the changes to our routine that take us away from Church on some Sundays? Do we deserve his forgiveness if he does? I have believed in God all of my life, even during the times that I was not going to Church and had a lot of major issues going on in my life. However, I feel like I am new to God at this point in my life, but I feel that is because I am taking my faith, and my love in God more seriously that I ever had before.
I am reading and trying to understand God through the Bible, through the Mass and Homily during Church, through serious spiritual reading, faithful prayer and by communicating with The Lord on a daily basis.
All of this brings me to seriously consider, and at times humbly doubt, my worthiness to be one of Gods chosen ones. Am I good enough? How can I be better? Why do I find myself feeling like I am slipping back? How can I move on with so much sin corroding my soul. Sure, my sins are never "that bad", but a sin is still a sin. Just because I did not lie, does not make the thought of lying any less of a sin in itself. Just because I finished the project at work that I was suppose to, does not make the sounds of exasperation (and bad thoughts towards my job) any less of a fact.
Even with these doubts coursing through me on an ever ending basis, I still find myself with enough faith, and love in God to "power through" these rough patches. At the end of the day, I still reach for my Bible and read the next passage (sometimes reading one each from the Old and New Testament) and thanking The Lord for everything that he has given me (both the good and the bad). As I say each night before I go to bed, and each morning when I awake;
"Thank you Lord for everything you have given to me. Thank you for my husband, my daughter, my family, and my friends. Thank you for each and every day."
No matter how I feel on any given day, I know that it would mean nothing if it wasn't for God. It is to God that I owe my life and my soul and it is to Him that I work towards becoming the best version of myself each and every moment of each and every day.
If there is anyone else out there who is reading this, or any of my future posts, and is either struggling with their faith and needs someone to share their fears and doubts with, or anyone who just wants to share words of encouragement and faith so that everyone can hear, please don't hesitate to leave a note on this blog. This is not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know that they are truly not alone out there and someone else may be going through the same things that they are now, or have gone through the same things in the past.
Thank you all of listening and Gold Bless!
At these times, I find myself at a cross roads, I have made a commitment to my husband and in front of God, to honor and obey him. But, when is it right not to, and how should I handle a situation like this?
I know deep down, that going to Church is very important to me, and for my daughter as this is the only exposure to God that she will have outside of what I talk with her about.
I work hard at praying to, and communicating with, God on a daily basis as I feel this is the most important part of my day. Is this enough? Does God understand the changes to our routine that take us away from Church on some Sundays? Do we deserve his forgiveness if he does? I have believed in God all of my life, even during the times that I was not going to Church and had a lot of major issues going on in my life. However, I feel like I am new to God at this point in my life, but I feel that is because I am taking my faith, and my love in God more seriously that I ever had before.
I am reading and trying to understand God through the Bible, through the Mass and Homily during Church, through serious spiritual reading, faithful prayer and by communicating with The Lord on a daily basis.
All of this brings me to seriously consider, and at times humbly doubt, my worthiness to be one of Gods chosen ones. Am I good enough? How can I be better? Why do I find myself feeling like I am slipping back? How can I move on with so much sin corroding my soul. Sure, my sins are never "that bad", but a sin is still a sin. Just because I did not lie, does not make the thought of lying any less of a sin in itself. Just because I finished the project at work that I was suppose to, does not make the sounds of exasperation (and bad thoughts towards my job) any less of a fact.
Even with these doubts coursing through me on an ever ending basis, I still find myself with enough faith, and love in God to "power through" these rough patches. At the end of the day, I still reach for my Bible and read the next passage (sometimes reading one each from the Old and New Testament) and thanking The Lord for everything that he has given me (both the good and the bad). As I say each night before I go to bed, and each morning when I awake;
"Thank you Lord for everything you have given to me. Thank you for my husband, my daughter, my family, and my friends. Thank you for each and every day."
No matter how I feel on any given day, I know that it would mean nothing if it wasn't for God. It is to God that I owe my life and my soul and it is to Him that I work towards becoming the best version of myself each and every moment of each and every day.
If there is anyone else out there who is reading this, or any of my future posts, and is either struggling with their faith and needs someone to share their fears and doubts with, or anyone who just wants to share words of encouragement and faith so that everyone can hear, please don't hesitate to leave a note on this blog. This is not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know that they are truly not alone out there and someone else may be going through the same things that they are now, or have gone through the same things in the past.
Thank you all of listening and Gold Bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)