Self-control, on sale for a limited time!

Yesterday I browsed around my church bookstore, an activity edifying to my spirit but hazardous to my pocketbook. While I consider myself thrifty, here I'm glad to open my purse wide and dump all my money on the counter. And I do it with a smile on my face! Here are the top 3 reasons I give myself for this behavior:

1. I volunteer to run a church ministry. Many books here would be helpful to me in preparing to serve. Surely everyone would agree that serving others is commendable. So, I should buy some books.

2. I have 3 children and my top priority is raising them up to love God with their whole hearts, souls, and minds. I should purchase and read my children all of the books in this store. Since I don't have time for that, I should buy many of these books and place them in locations around my home. My kids will be sure to see them, and maybe decide to read them. The one who hasn't started elementary school yet can look at the pictures.

3. This is a bookstore at my church, so surely some of the profits from this store go to church ministries. I love supporting church ministries. Buying lots of books here is like an offering over and above my tithe.

As I checked out the items in the store I came across some cute girls' bracelets, each with a fruit of the spirit written on it in plastic letter beads. I'm referring to the fruit listed in the Bible book of Galatians, where it says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law." (To read this verse in context, go here.) The passage tells me that I cannot achieve all of these qualities on my own, but with the help of God's Spirit, there is a way. Through God's Spirit indwelling me, I can myself show love, joy, peace, and patience. I'm pretty good with living out the love and joy part, but what about patience and self-control?

I decided to support my local church and buy (among other things) several of these bracelets. (Who needs self-control in a church bookstore, right?) For my sweet Becca I bought "love" and "joy". For myself I bought "faithfulness", "patience", and "self control". I was thinking about other people shopping for these cute, little-girl style bracelets. It seems the demand for "love" would exceed the demand for "self control". I only know a bit about economics, but perhaps a sale on self control is in order?

So for now I'm wearing the bracelet "patience". When I see it on my wrist I am reminded to pray that God's Spirit would work in me and help me be patient with everyone around me. At least a little bit, it's working.