Sacrifice for a Specific Purpose

Ok, so my challenge this year is really to sacrifice money for a specific purpose but to me that can mean other forms than the physical dollar. This is just the beginning of my specific sacrificing but thought it was a story worth sharing in my journey.

For Christmas I asked for a pair of shoes that I could wear when "dressing up jeans". My boyfriend Alan got me these crazy platform shoes that made me think of a street hooker, that were too small. I returned the shoes to the store but didn't see any others that I wanted. The other night after eating dinner with some friends I suggested we visit a different shoe store across the street.

Now, I don't really like to shop, I usually get in, get what I want, and get out. Now, one of the great things about Alan is that he knows what he wants and is willing to stand up to his opinion. This however, becomes a problem when shopping together. We had very different ideas of what type of shoes I should be buying. In the end we left the store without buying anything because we could not come to an agreement, even though there were several pairs that I liked within the price range I was willing to spend. (I felt like he should really have some say since they were a Christmas present from him.)

That evening the rest of our conversations kept coming back to the topic of shoes. I could never convince Alan of why women needs several (hundred) pairs of shoes!  He pointed out 6 should do...casual dress, sandals, dress (black & white) tennis, & winter boots. And then he agreed to flip flops. I think that it would be challenging for any woman to only have 6 pairs of shoes! But of course in the end he had a very valid point...there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between NEED & WANT!!!

I even posted on Facebook our conversation and the female responses were exactly what I expected them to be. Women love shoes, but more than that; in our society women are expected to look cute, be stylish, & always look put together.  In the end Alan made a really good point! Therefore, I am not going to buy another pair of shoes and in fact, I picked out a pile of clothes that I have not worn in the last year to donate. And my next pair of shoes will replace a pair I already own that I have worn out and must be thrown away. There are people right here in the United States that have basic needs that aren't being met and I can spend my money more wisely.

And even though this sacrifice of not buying shoes & giving up clothes I haven't worn isn't exactly painful. I feel it going against what my brain defines as normal! The changing of the thought process and the heart is where the stretching and growth pains are felt. As I looked around church this morning I thought, what if we all took off the shoes we were wearing and send them somewhere like Africa or Mexico where one pair of shoes are treasured? 

Want to know my first response? Not these boots! I love them! They were a present from Alan last Christmas, they have special meaning to me. My second response wasn't much better! Who would want used shoes? Having been to Jamaica and the dumps of Mexico I know better! They would love shoes we would throw away! 

You know, I have been challenged just writing this blog! I am going to buy another pair of shoes but not for me! It is winter here in the states, I'm going to see if I can't get a shoe drive going for those in need here in Columbus! This is what my challenge this year is all about! I've got to go! I've got praying to do!