We go through lots of milk in this house. Like 5 gallons a week. We should have a cow in our backyard! If I go into the store for anything, I automatically grab a gallon because I know we’ll need it soon.
A few weeks ago, I ran into Target to get a few things (yeah, right. Who actually goes into Target and only buys a few things? Bad Target, bad.) I went to the dairy department and was thinking about my kids and how they love their milk. The three older ones drink one glass at breakfast, as do I.
I reached in the icy-cold refrigerator to grab a fresh gallon and immediately teared up.
“What is this?” I thought. Postpartum hormones? I hoped no one saw the crazy lady brushing away tears doing something as simple as buying milk.
I am sure the hormones played a role, but mostly God was impressing on my heart the many, many kids in this world of ours that don’t get a new gallon of milk each time one runs out. Some kids never get milk, or bread, or clean water for that matter. Millions of children certainly don’t sleep in a cozy bed at night and have access to books and technology and stability.
Sometimes I pride myself that we “only” have two TVs in the house and my kids don’t have any type of gaming system. But really, is comparing myself to others really the standard? My kids have never gone to bed hungry and certainly have an overabundance of clothes, and I do as well.
I am supposed to give and love and serve according to what God leads me to do, not just what I feel is one step below the American dream. {See the above reference to Target.}
I go in and covet- and yes, often buy- things I don’t need. God is really placing a burden on my heart this year to really consider needs versus wants. And to instill this into my children’s hearts.
About Kelli Hays
Amen, I think the Lord is working the same way with me this year. Great post. Hugs, Marty
So true! Thank you for this, I needed it today. Have a great wkend ~ Paula
Hi, I found your blog through Grow Your Blog on
Call Me PMc. I am your newest
follower. A follow back to Carole’s
Chatter would be fantastic. Hope you are
having a good week.
Thanks Marty. The Lord is good to be patient with us, isn’t he?
Thanks Paula!
Hi Kelli,This same thing has been stirring up in my mind a lot lately too. It’s so freezing cold where I live….and I think about the people that don’t have warm beds to sleep in…or heating…or a coat… and it’s heart breaking. And honestly, right now, I feel like all I can do is pray. I do want to see change. I guess I know what I need to pray for now..
Thanks for linking up!!
Link backs are appreciated.
Xxo
What a precious spirit you have. I love those moments when our hearts are softened to the needs of others. I have a similar stirring in me to simplify and live a more minimalistic life…pretty much getting rid of the clutter! I hate getting caught up in all the pretties at Target… I swear I can’t leave that place without a cart full of stuff!
We’re a 4 gallon a week milk family, so I totally get where you’re coming from. And I relate even more about comparing to what’s immediately around me while overlooking the things I choose not to see. Thank you for peeling my eyes open!
We buy so much milk here too. It’s incredible. And I love the line in your post how comparing ourselves to others ISN’T the standard we should be looking at anyway. it’s a heart issue.
Thanks Christine. NOT comparing is so hard, right?
Thank you Stacy. It is so easy to forget these lessons- so thankful for God’s grace!
Thank you for a very relevant post, it is so true. Found you at Desire to Inspire. Have a blessed day.Tara (The Proverbs 31 Sanctuary)
Thanks so much for linking this post to our {Hope for the Home} Linky Party over at http://www.worthyoftheprize.com! What a great reminder of one of the many blessings we take for granted here in America! I hope you will link up again this week!! 🙂
Yes!! How blessed are we!? And yet it is so easy for many of us to take those blessings for granted. I think so many of us can relate to this post. Thanks for sharing from your heart.
We are so fortunate! And I don’t even like milk:))
We used to go through a lot of milk then our son grew up and moved and hubs developed type 2 diabetes his big trigger is milk.
This is so true! I’ve spent six summers in Mexico building houses for families that are living in shacks made of cardboard and scraps of wood, who never have access to clean water. It is so eye-opening! Coming home after these trips makes me realize how much surplus I have in my life, and how much I take for granted. It certainly changes your perspective, and helps me complain less.
I loved this post. So true. Thanks for helping me refocus.