My sister-in-law, mother-in-law, the boys and I went to G.I. because I needed some stuff at Sam*s Club and we decided to head to the mall for a little bit....we walked into a store and there were jeans priced at $198.00 and I became ill....literally sick to my stomach, have to leave the store, want to go home, type of ill. I became fearful of the world Parker and Owen will grow up in....
Yes, I know not all jeans are $198.00. No, there is nothing inherently evil about $198.00 jeans. It was just such a shock to me to think that there is that kind of value placed in a piece of clothing....with HOLES in them no less! Yeah, I am probably starting to sound like a crazy old woman, but I don't care because the Lord spoke such truth to me through this experience as I prayed about it last night.
He reminded me that as Christians we will look different....we must. And not in the "I am so nice and don't swear and go to church on Sundays" kind of way. We will look different...and the more ugly the world gets the more different we must look if we are seeking Him.
Fear and anxiety began creeping in.....
"But Lord, I don't want my kids to look so different that others won't like them. I want them to fit in and be accepted and well-liked. "
Really? Does that really matter? Is that really a priority? What does this say about my heart?
I am still processing what it looks like and am thankful I have some years to gain wisdom and understanding before I am faced with these issues in my children. BUT, I must begin to pray for courage.....
Courage to make the choice to be different even when it isn't comfortable. Courage to go against the "norm". Courage to choose Christ above all else. Courage to stand for what I believe when I am not in my bubble.....
$198.00......seriously, that is like 10 cases of diapers, enough food to feed our Compassion International child for 6 months.....I mean the sales tax on that pair of jeans is more than I would spend on a pair of jeans (without holes!)....
3 comments:
Amen Jess. You preach it girl!!! So thankful that yes, God is shifting the wheat from the shaft. We Must shine brighter and we will. I am so encouraged by stopping by your blog. So glad that God is raising us up as a generation who will know God and live their lives by his standards (not in a legalistic/approval by God way), but out of knowing Him that's all we can do is love Him. For He is so worthy, and there is no other way!!!
Love you Jess!!!
I am right in your boat....I go to those used stores where people who buy those jeans take them after a year because they think there are better ones! I am glad that I am not the only one who will not pay that price for jeans with holes. We shop at used places for the kids a lot too!
I wish I could live in your bubble! That way I wouldn't have to listen and see the very selfish, but probably deserving, people who are being watched by the Lord who give no thanks or only ask for more. But, Jess, I love reading your blog. Your outlook from your daily ups and downs gives me courage!
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