Yesterday, the printer for my computer died in the midst of a major
project. I was printing out my message for the upcoming Break Forth Canada
2003 conference, so I could do the final edits. The printer was beyond
repair. I couldn't really complain because it had printed valiantly right up
to it's dying moment. It was bad timing financially. (Is there ever good
timing financially?)
After supper, Kathy, Kyle and I trundled off to our favorite office
supply store to get a new printer. There were some nice ones that were way
too expensive and some cheap ones that just wouldn't do the job. I had
narrowed it down to three that I thought could do the job and were reasonably
priced.
While I was trying to decide which model, we started to look around. We
drooled over the new computers and laptops. Our other computer died recently
and the one I use for Gleanings is getting tired. It wasn't long before we
discovered that if we bought certain models we could get a "free" printer. We
drooled some more, did some justification and were soon debating the merits
of buying a laptop or a desktop.
I was already suffering from processor envy when I entered the store.
One of my good friends had to break down and buy a new system last week. His
old one had been repaired numerous times and just kept failing. The fact that
he had waited until need didn't help my envy.
Fortunately, the Lord nudged. Yes we do want a new computer and yes
this one will soon need upgrading but for the time being we could manage.
What we needed was a printer.
Feeling duly corrected (and a quiet moment of personal confession for
me), we left with a capable seeming printer at a reasonable price that we
felt good about.
The printer is a dandy. It's much faster than my old one and I think it
will more than meet my needs for a while.
Satan is a crafty adversary. He knows where to hit us. He knows how
easy it is to take us from what we need to what we want, placing us in the
bondage of lust for material things and often the bondage of debt.
Satan knows what we want. God knows what we need. I'll trust God over
Satan any day.
Until next time, remember to ask the questions, is this what I need? Or
is it just what I want? Trust in Him and resist the temptation.
Be blessed.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!
Kevin