The Tennis Shoes That Were Already There

I was wearing a worn pair of walking shoes. They had served me well, but I had begun thinking about replacing them.

Before I bought another pair, I prayed about it.

Then I looked again at the shoe rack. There was a bright, multicolored pair already waiting there.

It was such a small thing. But it stopped me. I had been preparing to spend before I had taken a proper look at what was already available to me.

This is not a rule against buying what you need. Sometimes you do need to replace the shoes. The point is simpler: do not let urgency make every next step a purchase.

Sometimes the next right step is to pause. To pray. To look again.

There may be something in your home, your calendar, your knowledge, or your relationships that you have not counted because you were already focused on what was missing.

A quiet next step

Before you buy one thing this week, take five minutes to look carefully at what you already have. Then decide from a clear place.

Prayer

God, help me slow down enough to notice what You have already placed in my care. Keep me from spending out of panic or habit. Give me wisdom for what I need, and gratitude for what is already here.

Reflection question

What have you been ready to replace, buy, or chase without first taking a proper look at what is already available to you?

Today PLAN Tomorrow.

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