This weekend I made an investment- it was not an investment in the stock market or an investment in a cd or banking account. It was an investment in MYSELF!
If you know me very well, you know that I hate to spend money on myself. I will wear clothes until they are worn thin. I will buy a palette of makeup and use it for a year or more until it runs out. I never get a facial or a manicure, though my nails could use some help!
Instead, I prefer to buy things that I know others need. I will pick up something that I know one of my children would love or when I see the special little something that would add a twinkle to someone’s eyes I splurge and snap it up!
This time I allowed myself the personal freedom to make two major purchases that would be an investment in my own physical and spiritual well being.
I have devoted this year as my year to get my body and my spirit in top notch shape. I want to THRIVE in all things- but especially in my health and in my faith.
I purchased a new Study Bible and a brand new pair of Brooks athletic shoes.
Now, these purchases did not come without a little twinge of guilt. I went to five stores before finally picking the right pair of shoes. I tried on several lower priced pairs, but I kept hearing my daughter’s voice in the back of my head. “Mom, you need to get a good pair with support. You are walking a lot and you have to take care of your feet.” You see, my daughter has been a runner for a long time. She was on both her high school and college cross country and track teams. Over the years we have purchased many pairs of shoes, but Kari always kept coming back to the Brooks brand. She swears by them!
In the final store I actually tried on and even picked up a different brand, lower priced and on sale. I was not sure if they would offer me the support that I know my aging, over-pronated feet need, but I was willing to take a chance. Then the worker from the shoe department walked up and said, “Can I help you?” After some conversation he made his recommendation and, lo and behold, Kari was right. Brooks it was going to be!
As for the study bible I had already conducted an online search, but I really wanted to hold the Bibles in my hands, flip through them, and see what I thought in person. I found several study bibles at a lower priced discount store earlier in the day, but none of them really spoke to me. I already have a King James Version as well as an NIV, but I wanted something else that would help me delve deeper into God’s word. The one I ended up selecting was a CSB- Christian Standard Bible. I picked it because it provided the easy to understand text and also had notes that were based on the original languages in which the bible was written. (NOTE here- I was able to use a $10 off coupon for the purchase, so that helped ease my personal twinge of guilt just a bit.)
Yes, these two purchases were more expensive than I am used to making- especially for something for my personal use, but I know that they are an investment in me and in my well-being. I look forward to many miles of walking in those shoes and many hours of deep and meaningful Bible study! And…… who knows? Maybe these purchases will help ease my guilt twinges the next time I see something that I would really like to buy- just because I deserve it!
Renewal and Refuge 