Thankful Preparations
I don’t normally buy this many groceries. After all, it is just my husband and myself. We like to eat, but really? We are still just two people. My kids are coming home for the holiday, and they are bringing friends. I like that. I like that my home can be a gathering place. I like hearing the sounds of laughter and fun floating throughout the house from its various corners.
While I was shopping and my cart gained that “overflowing” look, I admit to being a bit worried about the cost of all this “joy.” I was adding up my total cost as I went, (yes, I am one of THOSE shoppers: I don’t necessarily have to be so tight with the budget anymore, but years of it being a necessity has given me very distinct grocery shopping habits) and I was still within my budget. And yet I found myself asking questions in my head like: do I NEED another box of crackers? Will they like this breakfast cereal? What do my daughter’s friends like to snack on? Is this enough noodles for spaghetti? Why are gluten-free spaghetti noodles so expensive?! How badly will my husband hurt if I use regular noodles? Am I over thinking this? Yes to the good bacon? Cheese sticks? Ice cream?… I found myself becoming distracted by the process instead of focusing on what God was providing.
I have heard others say, and I have repeated it myself to others that identifying what one has to be thankful for, listing them out, helps you move from worry to peace. My heart needs that process as I have gone to another grocery store since the pictured purchase, and I’m sure I will return to the grocery store before everyone arrives, and perhaps even while they are here! Budget-smudget. I’m making a list:
- There IS padding in my budget in several places.
- I get to enjoy the presence of my children, at home, for more than a night.
- I have the privilege of being a generous hostess.
- I get to make my children some of their favorite foods and enjoy spoiling them.
- I am blessed that I have the space to not only have my children home, but their friends as well.
- NONE of this is a financial burden.
- I still can afford to drink all the good coffee that I want.
- I will be paid in hugs.
- I get to bless people from my church who will join our feast.
- I am reminded how often my mom has done this for my siblings and myself, it fills my heart.
- I get to snack on things that are not normally found in our house anymore.
- There will be pumpkin bread and homemade cookies.
- I don’t have to make the pies.
- I can imagine my son’s pleasure because there will be gravy.
- I have the ingredients for a double batch of my daughter’s favorite jello salad.
- I will get to soak in the all the idiosyncrasies of those I love the most. I can hardly wait.
- I don’t regret a dime spent, even if that means no new shoes for awhile; the trade-off is priceless.
I truly am Blessed and Grateful. To God be the Glory.
