to shop or not to shop... thats the big question

... and to not shop is what I have decided. I want to take a public pledge. No shopping unless it is for Christmas. Here's the thing, I go through these shopping up's and down's. When I get this 'urge' to buy buy buy, it comes hard and fast, everything I see looks so appealing and I WANT it. But than I go on a shopping downer and don't want anything and feel quit satisfied with everything I have. Many times I have thought about making Clayton take my visa and debit away, but thats just immature. I need to practice my own restraint. So here it is, I am not buying. I am not in need. In fact I am abundently blessed with so much 'stuff'. I want to live in thankfulness for all that I have.
This summer I was faced with a challenge of my own. God was challenging me to give to others every time I wanted to give to myself. So, instead of buying that cute shirt for myself, buy it for someone else. When I am craving a latte, buy a latte for someone else. I was reminded that God will use me to do big things when He knows I can follow through on doing the small things in life first.
There were two instances this summer when I followed through on this challenge and I cannot even explain the joy it brought me when I was able to bless others instead of giving into my own desires. I have a shoe fetish, and one day I was thinking about shoes I wanted, and seriously did not need. I felt God press on my heart someone in need of some shoes. So I sat down this girl and told her what God was telling me and she was so excited because she needed new shoes and could not afford them! It felt so great to give to someone who really needed.
One other day, my mom and I were at the Penticton market. I was so excited to see this coffee stand set up that sells this great coffee! My mom and I were walking around with our coffees when a woman at a vegetable stand commented on how great our coffee smelt. Right away I said, "do you want a coffee? I will go get you one right now." Before she could respond I walked back to the coffee stand and bought her a coffee. Seriously, a coffee is what $2.00? That $2.00 made her day and she was so overwhelmed with happiness that a stranger would even do that for her. My bank account was not even effected that day, but my heart was and that ladies day was.
So, I guess I am revising my challenge. I will not shop for myself, but if the Lord lays in on my heart to bless someone else I will.  I am not losing out in anyway though, for when you bless another you bring an unspeakable joy and pleasure to your own life that cannot be bought or exchanged by any cute shirt or great pair of boots.
Of course I cannot be nieve, I will shop again. But until Christmas is over I do not need anymore clothes (which is the culprit in this case). I will be satisfied with all I have and care more about others in need for the next two months.