When a Bargain isn’t a Bargain ~ A Personal Story
A quick (okay, if you don't know me . . . maybe more like medium to long length) personal story to encourage you all to see beyond the deal — which can sometimes be a blinder for me.
Just as I like to get good deals, I also like to save on the necessities, one being electricity. Something that just doesn't happen around this Bargain Believing house is leaving a light on all night.
My son has a dim night light, but also likes to have the hall light on when he goes to sleep. It's usually not a problem. I just turn it off after he falls asleep or as I'm going to bed.
Well, last night he was up late and I was going to bed a little bit early. I attempted to turn it off, but my 10 year old wasn't asleep . . .
Son: "Mom, can you leave the light on?"
Me: "No, I'm going to bed."
Son: "But, I'm used to it on and I get scared."
Me: "But, you have a night light."
Son: "But, I like it on."
Me: Thinking, thinking, praying, listening, praying, listening . . . "Okay, I'll leave it on."
Son: "Thanks, good night."
A little while later, (after no further discussion or conversation about why)
Son: "Mom, you can turn the light off if you want. That would cost a lot of money
to leave it on all night." (Yes, he's definitely my son!)
Me: "No, I'll leave it on. It's not that much."
Son: "No, you can turn it off."
Me: "That's alright. It's important to you, so I'll leave it on."
I can't tell you how much his unselfish attitude blessed me. I witnesses a softened, kind heart that can sometimes get overlooked with normal day to day happenings. God planted a "yes" in my heart that will be a reminder of something I often repeat to my kids, "People are more important than things!"
Really, what did that cost me, 25¢? I'm not sure and I don't even care. I made my son feel more important than saving money and that's what he and I will remember — not having extra in the bank or to spend on something else far less valuable than him.
I share this, not to show how wonderful I am (really, a quarter?), but to honestly tell you that I constantly struggle to keep a balance in my life — bargains and beyond. It's not just bargains for me, it's also time. These precious years are flying by and I want to invest what I've been given wisely. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me well beyond bargains! What a treasure I have in my son!
Anyone else have a hard time seeing the big picture sometimes?
Love this post Juli — and I have had things like this happen to me as well, but can't think of any to share right now.
I put a premium on my time as well, which means I have to remind myself that even though I probably spend twice as much as you do on groceries (we have the same size family) that's not the main thing. And like the poster above pointed out, leaving lights on doesn't cost as much as we'd think, so maybe I better stop harping so much about it!! LOL
Thanks :-)
So very true! I don't have to work outside the home, so I consider saving my job. I have more unallocated time than you do! Remember, any savings is good . . not just spending what I do on groceries!! :)
A single 60 watt bulb? Electricity is billed by the kilowatt hour, so every hour its on is .06 kilowatt hrs. APS charges me 5.11 cents per kilowatt hr at night, so that lightbulb would cost me .31 cents for every hour its on, or about a penny for 3 every hours of use.
I guess I should start leaving in on all the time. For that price, I would feel like I was saving money! :)
What a touching story, thank you for sending it my way. God speaks to us at times very clearly through our children – I think it's those times I hear him the loudest. Thank you for sharing your story.
You're very welcome, Julia! Enjoy our weekend!