Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Pottery Barn - Schmottery Barn

Today was a good mail day... if, by good mail I mean, that you like looking through catalogs. I got two big ones - Target's Christmas toy catalog and Pottery Barn Kids holiday book. I always enjoy turning the pages and "ooohing" and "aaahhhing" the extremely well decorated pretend rooms in PB. I love going into the store and just imagining what it would be like to be able to just drop $4k on a set of beds... or a bookshelf. But you know what always, always, always happens moments after I step out of the store, or put down the catalog? That ugly beast of covetousness and "poor me" feeling begins to seep in and tempt me... and if I (with the help of the Holy Spirit) don't catch it... can take over my day, causing me to resemble an ugly beast by the time my hubs gets home. Because you know what? I WANT my girls room to look amazing, picture perfect and like pure, childhood, bliss. Take for example - this:What on earth? {if you have this...I'm not judging, btw - good for you!} I would LOOOOVE to have an all-in-one playhouse/bed/little girl dream world room. Can you see the complete pink kitchen set inside the house? Do you see the perfect chandelier and curtains?! Part of me wants to be 8 again and live right here.

But, it's not just kids room stuff that gets me. It's decor stuff... stuff I wish I could throw together and have my family love and admire. Like this felt leaf garland. How difficult could this be to make? But, it's $50 in PB! I'm seeing some ribbon and a bunch of cut out leaf patterns. Hmmm.

Anyway, Pottery Barn - Schmottery Barn.
So, I'm sure you are thinking, "look lady, if its that much of an issue for you.. STOP looking at it". True. And, sometimes I do. But, in a way this challenge is so good for me - though you may see it as unneccesary torture. Each time I open this catalog I remind myself of a few things:
-These things will not make you happy
-These things will not make Ava happier
-These things don't define you or who God wants you to be
God knows my heart - and He gives me my value. So, thankfully, most of the time I can put the book down and remember that... and praise God that though, yes, I do admire pretty things in this world - they don't define me or save me or make me ultimately happy (Eccl. 1:8). Christ alone DOES! I must find my satisfaction in Him. I must seek Him alone... for the desires of my heart. And, I know that as women we do struggle with this topic. So I hope today - in some round about way - someone was encouraged or challenged with my ramblings. Go hug your babies or husband and thank God for your life that is jam-packed with blessings!
"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness,faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
I Timothy 6:6-12

1 comment:

Amy@My Front Porch said...

You are SO right. It's so easy to fall into that covetous trap -- whether it's looking at catalogs or window shopping or even just visiting a friend with a well decorated home! I'm the same way with the catalogs -- it's good to remind myself that those "things" won't make my life better, and that I've already got everything I need {in Christ} regardless of whether or not my house looks like a page from a magazine {which...clearly it does not} But the positive side of Pottery Barn, etc. is getting fun ideas to copy -- like that leaf garland...you could totally make something like that!