What else?

"But it's on sale!"
“But it’s on sale!”

More. I need more. Not sure what, but I’m sure there’s something out there calling my name. Could be clothes, something for my kids, maybe home décor. I just know I need something. But I don’t spend money recklessly. I won’t pay full price for it. I’ll buy on sale, used, or even at a garage sale.

That was me a few years ago. I felt this inexplicable need to get more. And when we moved into a bigger house with a lot more space, I went wild, even filling the basement. I wasn’t a hoarder, just an accumulator.

But still I wasn’t satisfied.

Then I met Bryan. He was quiet, strong, and happy with what he had. His house wasn’t huge, but it was comfortable and paid for. His cars weren’t the newest, but they ran and were in good condition. I didn’t understand his contentment, but I wanted it. Now!

When we talked about his sense of satisfaction, he said he learned to just be thankful for what he had. That made him content with his possessions and not want more. Huh? That’s too simple. There had to be more than that, or I would have figured it out by now.

After we married and combined households, there wasn’t room for me to bring home a lot of new things. I was itching to get out and buy something – anything.

Then we moved into a larger house to make room for all of us and our “stuff.” Finally! I could start shopping. But when I mentioned to Bryan something I thought of getting, he asked me why I needed it. He wasn’t telling me not to buy it, just asking me to think about it first. When I considered it and took time to ponder why, I couldn’t come up with a good reason.

When I wanted a new mixer, he asked what was wrong with the one we already had.

My old yellow mixer
My old yellow mixer

It was a Oster and worked fine. But it was old and yellow and didn’t match the kitchen, so I just wanted a new one in red. No other reason than I wanted it. Well, he didn’t say that I couldn’t buy one, but his question kept me from running out to spend money on a whim.

Then I discovered the phrase that kept me shopping. And buying. And eating.

What else?

Okay, I have the blouse I was looking for, so what else does this store have that I might want? I got everything on my grocery list, so what else is there that I’d like? And I cleaned my plate at dinner, so what else is there to eat? That’s when my discontentment took over. I wasn’t satisfied with what I had, so I continually looked for something else.

When I stopped asking what else? I learned to be content.

Chances are, I don’t need everything that catches my eye. If I just look around and thank God for what I have, I’ll save time, energy, and money I used to spend getting more and more.

My new -- cheaper -- mixer!
My new — cheaper — mixer!

It’s now 20 years later, and the Oster finally died. I decided long ago that it was just fine, and I preferred having money in my pocket to purchasing a mixer that matches my kitchen décor. Since I used it infrequently, it didn’t really matter that it was yellow and old. It worked and I was thankful for it. Its replacement isn’t another high-priced model. It’s a national brand, but only cost $50.

And I’m just as thankful for the new one.

That’s the clue to having enough – being thankful, and not always seeking more.

It’s that time of year. First, we give thanks, then the next day we buy things we really can’t afford to give people stuff they really don’t want. Instead, let’s take a minute to just be thankful for what we already have. It may not be much, but if we don’t keep spending money, our belongings will be paid for and we can give thanks that we don’t have outrageous credit card bills.

That’s something to be thankful for!

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