Men and women shop totally differently, at least most of the time. Even men who like to shop for anything accomplish it through a series of decisions that most women would not recognize. The critical difference comes through a sense of accomplishment. Men feel that they have shopped to the max when they purchase as much as their pocket book permits. Women talk about savings, shops explored, and things reviewed. Similar ends, but distinctly different!
I love shopping for tools, hardwoods, cars, and, if I am honest, almost anything. I rarely shop just for the fun of shopping unless there is at least a slight chance that I might buy at least one thing. Whitney, age 11, has inherited my shopping approach with her natural feminine habits. Her motto appears to be shop daily and buy at least one thing always! The good news is that she constantly saves her money so most of her shopping is on her own pocketbook.
I am afraid that my shopping habits have become a pattern for most of my decisions in life. I anticipate the end-result and decide on the interim step accordingly. I look for things that will help me get ahead, do things easier, or win. I work on being self-reliant. I try to spend within my means and accomplish things on my own.
God is looking for something very different. I really cannot see the future, so any anticipation is an act of fictional dreaming on my part. God can see yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God anticipates our failure, knows it all too well, and is wise to our ways. In spite of our desire to compete with Him, God makes provision for our restoration! Instead of the limits of financial prudence, God gave everything for us. We are priceless.
What is the thing I need most? I know that money and things of this world do not last. There is really only one answer. “Sell everything and buy Wisdom!” (Proverbs 4.5) I know this decision leads to God and everything that one might dream.
