Out of Abundance

I’ve always been someone who keeps and saves. Someone who makes a good thing stretch as far as possible. Someone who stores up treasures for special occasions, for just the right project.

I remember the first time I was able to let go of this tendency for a while. It was when I started to count down the days to fly back home to the States after two years of living in Mexico. I had kept up my natural inclination to save up little treasures (cute notebooks which I was slowly filling with small handwriting, good smelling lotions dispensed a pea-size squirt at a time, canned pumpkin carefully hoarded for the fall season, etc.) Because I was limited to two suitcases for my return flight, I had to make a lot of choices. I wasn’t going to take anything consumable. I mostly brought back my personal things that couldn’t be replaced and the unique Mexican artwork I’d acquired (traditional woven pillow covers, embroidered clothes, barra negra pottery, alebrijes, etc.) They were bittersweet months as I said goodbyes but looked forward to home. It was also strangely celebratory. I took generous squirts of the gifted lotions each night. I made desserts from stockpiled pumpkin and chocolate chips. I also became more generous, giving away artwork, clothing, and gifts to people (not just cast offs, but intentional gifts).

I was thinking about this again as I finished two blouses made from vintage patterns recently. The last year sewing projects I’ve done, I actually was able to use some vintage fabric, buttons, and trim. I have had a small collection of these “notions” for several years now, but it felt too small to really dip into. Only recently as my stash of fabric, thread, buttons, and trims has grown, have I felt that I have enough to use some of it and still have plenty left over. And it’s really fun! For the 40’s “fiesta” blouse, I used up two lengths of retro ricrac trim which I’d had a while. It was also satisfying in this case that I had the exact amount needed with just an inch to spare!

It reminds me how much more joyful the abundance mindset is than the scarcity mindset. Though I know true scarcity exists, for my circumstances, it really is more of a mindset for me. I need the reminder that I have all of my needs met and plenty of my wants beside so I can enjoy and be generous with the abundance I have. Though I am not always guaranteed this abundance on earth, celebrating Easter last week reminds me that, in Christ, God’s love has offered us “now and not yet” abundance, lavish gifts, and a house with many rooms. It is hard to enjoy something you are afraid will run out or will get worn out with too much use. But we can’t run out of all that he has to offer so there is no reason to “save it up” or hold it for ourselves. Instead, we get to enjoy him (and the many gifts he offers) forever.

Photo by Mel Poole on Unsplash