Long before the internet was ever thought of, there was a special day of the year in my childhood. It was the day the Sears Wishbook came in the mail. It always arrived sometime before Thanksgiving. For those of you too young to know what this is, let me explain. It was a thick catalog with page after page of glorious toys and trinkets for Christmas. I would sit forever with this book drooling over the goods that were presented. I would then start circling the things I wanted and would put stars by the items I could not seem to live without. How many miniature kitchens could one have? Didn’t matter. I wanted it all! It was a treasure chest of all things good. Isn’t it funny how times have changed? Or have they?

As a child, just getting some of those toys seemed like happiness would be certain. More than likely, two weeks after Christmas, things were probably already broken or forgotten about. As adults, we put our eyes on things too. Social media bombards us daily with material items that sparkle, trips to take and new restaurants to try. It also shows us what the world says we should look and act like. Not all of these things are bad things. It becomes bad when you desire gifts more than The gift Giver. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.” (‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Problems arise when we are fixated on getting what we want rather than doing and getting what God wants for us. It’s all a matter of our heart condition. For our hearts to be right with The Lord, we have to prioritize Him. We need to seek Him for Who He Is and not just what He can do for us or give us. We are often so tempted to spend money we don’t have, talk about other’s faults when we’re human too and cling tightly to anything that we think can make us happy. 

“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” (‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬) It’s our desires that drag us away. Away from what? God’s best for us. He wants us to have a nice home to live in. Having said that, He doesn’t want the house to own us. If we can’t afford the one we “want” and go ahead and sign the dotted line anyway, trouble is sure to follow. He wants us to relax and vacation with our families. However, taking trips that are out of our budget just to post pictures on Facebook are probably not our best idea. It’s not about the destination anyway. It’s about the journey with loved ones that matter. We need to first seek The Lord and get His perspective on things. We are all too familiar with the world’s perspective. We try so hard to measure up to imperfect people’s expectations of us that we sometimes forget The One that really matters. 

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Needs and wants are different but needs will sustain you in life. Not just material needs. God wants us to have peace in the storms, faith in the valleys and love to share. So we have a choice. We jump on the hamster wheel and wear ourselves out trying to run the world’s rat race or we fix our eyes and hearts heavenward on The One that brings true meaning and life. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬) We have to consult Him to permit Him to show us the way out. Only He can help us overcome dire desires.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.