Day 152, June 1

At a garage sale, I found a book on living frugally, espousing the Yankee frugality of our ancestors. The tips offered in the book are simple, common sense, really. Yet our country remains in debt, from the federal government to states, from families to singles. The concept of living within one's means is outdated and ridiculed by many.

The book makes the point that living frugally does not mean being cheap. It does not mean never picking up a check when family or friends go out to dinner. (We all know at least someone who never offers to pick up the check, don't we? These individuals are not frugal; they are merely cheap.)

Frugality means saving money on things that are not important and using it for those that are. For my husband and myself, being frugal allowed us to have me remain at home when our children were small and to help them occasionally now that they are grown. Being frugal also allows us to tithe to our church and make other offerings. What we do or don't spend money on is not the critical thing; what matters is the freedom of choice it gives us.

As much as I admire those who are frugal, though, there is One who is never frugal with His blessings or His love, and I love Him dearly.

The Lord pours out His mercies, His miracles, His Spirit upon all of us. When I find myself complaining about whatever problem is currently plaguing me, I have to stop and remind myself of the unstinting generosity of the Father.

So, for today, I am grateful for those who are frugal and for the One who is not.