Delayed Gratification... it can be done... but it ain't easy...
The Man and I have decided to have Delayed Gratification when it comes to Christmas Gifts for ourselves this Year from our 'Wish Lists'. We should at least win a Ribbon or something for making this self-sacrificing decision... *Winks*
Because it's not as if either of us haven't seen or Lusted after more than a few coveted things that any Special Occassion could Warrant or be a handy Excuse to ask for. And Receive Guilty Indulgences without the Guilt. *Winks*
Sure we already have a lot of nice Stuff so its not as if either of us is deprived or lacking and we acknowledge that we are Truly Blessed. And certainly there are the inexpensive Thrift Store 'Scores' that don't need a Special Occassion to justify because they're such a Bargain that it takes no real Sacrifice to acquire & certainly is a Rush. The Thrill Of The Hunt is the Gift that keeps on Giving year round.
But I'm talking about the "Big Kahunas" here... those Splurge Items that you normally couldn't Justify unless it's Christmas, your Birthday, an Anniversary or you just Won the Lottery type of Stuff! *Smiles*
Those things that you don't often, if ever, buy for yourself unless it's a Special Gift on a Special Occassion from your "Wish List" and is perhaps a once or twice a Year Purchase at best... and most other times it's just a "Look At Lustfully and Dream of Owning" Item that you might never actually procure so it remains a Fantasy Item.
And The Man and I have become quite Adept at Delayed Gratification actually... whilst raising a Family for the past 30++ Years. Seems the Older you get and the Larger The Family gets the better you better get at it too! *Winks*
Raising Children and Grandchildren can get expensive and consume a fair amount of the budget... and Gifting each Precious Child during the Holiday Season takes a hefty chunk of change. Like hungry Lil Gators they might just be Jonesin' for something even more desperately than you are & The Man and I have always been total Pushovers when it comes to Family & Kids in particular... we Enjoy Giving to them.
But there's only so much to go around and our Earning Potential ain't what it used to be either... and at times that kinda sucks... especially during the Holidays when you want to be more Benevolent than perhaps is possible. So though I know The Man would Love to Indulge me too {and Typically does}... and I'd equally Love to Indulge him as well & get that Special Somethin'~Somethin' that he's been Jonesin' for and yet put Family first rather than get it for himself... we've decided to wait.
And even though all of us can be somewhat of a Big Kid At Heart at Christmastime and Hope for that one Special Gift on our 'Wish List' and want to be Self-Indulgent at least one time a Year ... I am humbly Reminded of the fact that we have so much and there are still so many who have so little.
There are even Children who may not Receive this Christmas unless a Charitable Gift is Provided on their behalf. And so I urge all of us to remember to count our Blessings and be as Charitable this Christmas to those in Need as we are able... because the Gift of Giving is so much more of a Gift to Christ, than the Receiving of Gifts ourselves. And may you always be a Cheerful Giver as this is Pleasing to The Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And in the Giving may you find the Fullness of Joy!!!
Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian