THINK and THANK

I see it. I want it. I have to have it.”

If you’re a fan of the HGTV hit series “House Hunters” you’ve heard those words, or plenty others like them.

House Hunters follows people on their search to purchase a home. On-camera subjects look at three properties, make comments on each and end up choosing one.

In this particular case, the husband was employed while his wife was still a student. They both wanted the finer things in life—and they wanted them all. Now. Granite countertops in their first home were a necessity and a kitchen island of utmost importance. They couldn’t live without dark cherry  42” cabinets, an open concept floor plan, hardwood floors or a loft. Extended his and her closets, too. And  of course the generous-sized master bedroom must be on the second floor, complete with the most fabulous en suite bath—and all this for their tiny budget. They were perplexed as to why this “affordable” gem couldn’t be found  and ended up spending $100,000 more than what they reasoned they should—all because they would not be satisfied with living within their means.

These folks are not alone in always wanting the biggest and best, needing to have the newest and nicest. Never settling, never compromising, never deferring a want. We are now a society of gotta-have-its. Watch the long lines form when Apple introduces a new iPhone (did all the old phones stop functioning all of a sudden?). A famous celebrity begins wearing an expensive branded item of clothing and soon it becomes required status-wear.

In 1997 I was a computer illiterate (and no, in 2013 I still wouldn’t describe myself anywhere near “tech-savvy”). But I do have more than my share of tech toys. And my closet? While not stuffed with the highest fashion I would say it’s still stuffed. Over-stuffed, even. Did I need everything? Nope, just wanted it.

Listening to those house hunters might be entertaining in a “did-you-hear-what-she-just-said” sort of way, but oh my, it’s convicting, too. When someone on the show laments the single bath status of a property, crying “How can we be expected to live like this?” I am forced to admit I don’t want to “live like that” any longer, either. (“Keep in mind,” I remind myself, “Your parents were thrilled with that little 1957 one bathroom rancher and they raised four children there just fine, thank you very much!”).

We (and by “we,” I mean “I”) need to really think about 1) Who gave us what we have: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” (James 1:17); 2) being satisfied with what we have: “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world.” (I Timothy 6:6&7) and then 3) being thankful for what we have: “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father…”  (Ephesians 5:20). Yes—think...and then thank.