Price Comparing

I don't know if it's because of the economy or if I'm just getting a tiny bit more smarter...but I've been discovering how to shop smarter and save money! It started with a friend of mine who clips coupons. Now, I'm not that patient and usually end up buying things I normally wouldn't because I had a coupon. Then my sister Kathy took me with her and she's pretty savvy. To take a few extra minutes and compare the amount I'm getting plus deciding if the brand is good enough is starting to pay off. I've even found some fantastic things at yard sales! So, this is getting to be fun. Not to mention the people I get to meet and make laugh because I tell them about my yard sale budget! The bible does talk about praying for wisdom...there's even mention about His people perishing for lack of it. So, when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I try to pray for is wisdom...even wisdom in how to pray for other people. Before shopping, it's a great idea to pray for what the needs are versus the greeds. I pray for wisdom on how to listen better and talk kinder. It's going to take some time, but already I notice fewer conflicts, fewer apologies having to be spoken and fewer knots in my stomach. If I were shopping for fruit of the spirit, I would always try to get more: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. This is what I can shop for while praying too. The cost is simply, putting others ahead of me. Funny thing is, the less of me I think about, the more joy I seem to have. It can be a great life if I'm willing to work on it. Won't you join me?