Happy November! {Contentment & Thankfulness}

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful,

Brother David Steindle-Rast

November is traditionally a month to give thanks. I love that. But, I am learning to cultivate a heart of contentment and thankfulness ALL year long. That is why I keep a gift list..a thankful journal…and take everyday pictures to remind myself to be thankful in the moment.

I cannot stick to a budget. I do not consider myself to be a “big spender” but I get a $3 candle, some new lotion, a pair of flip-flops on clearance, etc.  Our grocery budget is craziness. We go through the fast food drive-thru too much. But, ya’ll, I keep telling myself that we do NOT live extravagant lives. {I think I am justifying the spending.}

I want to do better with what God has given us. I really do. And every month I try and fail. So, I’m hoping for a bit of accountability and prayer by sharing here on the blog.

I consider myself a content person. But, maybe I’m not. I love our home. I love our new kitchen walls. I love that I decorated our new plate wall with thrift store plates for less than $10.

Yet, I still buy new things for our home that we don’t need. (whether they are $2 or not doesn’t matter.)

Where do you draw the line? I don’t know.

So, I’m going to explore contentment, thankfulness and prayerfully a little bit of self-control. Denying myself the small pleasures in the moment for the greater reward of faithfulness and the freedom to give MORE. I know all the talk, I’m married to an accountant, we know all the tricks and we KNOW in our heads the right thing to do. (And yes, it drives my hubby crazy that I can’t stick to his budgets.) So this is all me. Amazon is another little problem I have. {ugh}

So, I say all this to say…pray for me! I hope to share more as the month progresses…