Since the day my daddy laid eyes on me, I've been wrapped around his finger. He displayed his love by giving gifts. Rarely did you see him hug or kiss anyone (even his wife- that's just the way it was.)
Momma was a good cook, loved her children dearly, and spent countless hours teaching us the right way to live (and correcting our "mishaps" by washing our mouths out with soap.) Though very affectionate, she also bought things to show us love.
My parents were givers, but they gave too much. They bought me everything I ever wanted and then some. From a young age, I was known as a spoiled rotten brat- which wasn't far from true.
Getting so much when I was young turned me into a materialistic monster, especially in high school. Savannah the shopoholic who had everything, yet still wanted more was my name, and shopping was my game.
Once my parents realized their constant gift-giving wasn't good, they stopped and I cried. What was I going to do without that beautiful dress that I drooled over?
You see, there is a difference between wants and needs. I was so caught up in what I could get and I thought I NEEDED it all. I had everything I really needed- I was given food, shelter, clothes, and love.
I truly grasped this concept when I moved away to school. Not having my parents around helped a tremendous amount. I finally realized that having material things does not equate happiness. I found true happiness and joy-not in things-but in Jesus.
I finally found where I belong and nothing else satisfies.
Since I am leaving the country so soon- I have not shopped much. I thought I needed a new pair of TOMS (look them up on Google). When deciding if it was a good idea to purchase a new pair, God gave me a wake up call. He told me to wear the old pair of TOMS around, until someone said something about them.
Our conversation went something like this:
"REALLY? They are ratty and have holes in the top and……."
"Savannah, some people don't have shoes, you have countless pairs."
"True- okay- you win."
So I wore ratty TOMS for about a week (until my roommate told me I looked homeless) Let me tell you-wearing ratty shoes humbled me and gave me a perspective I was longing to have.
It left God and myself saying one thing:
Savannah-
