Best of the Best

When having the best, is still not good enough…

“Oohh, it is beautiful. Did you say that this is real cherry wood?” I ran my fingers gently along the edge of the cabinet door. The salesman saw the glimmer in my eye. “Yes Mrs. Van Dahm, and only the finest cherry wood at that.” My hand slowly made its way down to the marbled counter top. “Granite?” Again, the salesman answered, “Only the finest.” Taking a step back, I eyed the kitchen display once more. The smell of fresh baked cookies filled the air, as I imagined myself baking on the new shiny counter tops. “How much did you say, for the whole remodel?” It couldn’t be more than $10,000, I thought to myself. The man slid the paper across the counter, revealing the destined number. “$50,000! Why, that’s a lot of money,” I sighed. The corner of his mouth slowing raised into a slight smirk. “Mrs. Van Dahm, may I suggest you look at the bigger picture here. This kitchen will scream sophistication. Everyone who enters will be jealous, and wish they had such class as you. Don’t you want to have the finest? I mean, just look at these cabinets you currently have,” he pointed to the picture I brought of my existing kitchen, “they are outdated and drabbie to say the least.” I glanced down at the picture. He was right, my kitchen was outdated, boring, and dull. My eyes darted between the new cherry wood display, and the sales contract. I sat down onto the stool, and without hesitation, grabbed the pen and pressed it firmly onto the paper. Closing my eyes, I quickly signed my name. The salesman jerked the paper out from underneath my palm, and grabbed my arm. I quickly stood from my stool, pulling my purse off the counter with me. “Where are we going?” I shouted. With the same smirk still in place, he turned and answered, “To the new bathroom model displays.” Shaking my head back and forth I replied, “But, I don’t need a new bathroom.” He laughed as he answered, “Of course you do. You can’t possibly remodel your kitchen and leave that dingy bathroom the same. Don’t you want the best of the best? Everybody is doing it!” His grip on my arm became firmer. “No. No, I don’t need a new bathroom. I think I made a mistake. I don’t even need the new kitchen.” I began to tug my arm out from his grip. “Of course you don’t need any of it. But you know you want it.” My head began to spin, as we rushed pass the new bathroom sinks. Hundreds of them lined the wall, in every size, shape and color. Next, we buzzed pass the toilets. “This is our best seller. A must have for anyone who has the latest and greatest.” I glanced down and noticed something swimming in the clear lid of the toilet seat. “Are those real fish?” I asked, leaning in for a closer look. “Only the finest,” he exclaimed. I started to slowly back away, shaking my head. Seeing my hesitation, he began to walk slowly toward me. With my head still shaking back and forth I started to mumble, “No. No, no…” The closer he got, with his clipboard and pen in hand, my words grew louder, “No, No, NO, NO!”

My eyes popped open, still yelling the words. My heart raced, as I quickly shot up from my pillow. The sun shined through my window, casting a beam of light into my eyes. Squinting, I searched the room around me. The clock on my dresser flashed 7:23 AM. The dog lay ever so peacefully in the corner, on her pillow. The sound of the garbage truck coming down the street could be heard outside my window. Sitting there a moment longer, I leaned forward and glanced into the door way of the bathroom. My outdated, blue-tiled shower suggested I hadn’t signed up for a bathroom or kitchen remodel after all. For a split second, sadness filled me, as I had longed to have the best of the best. I made my way to the corner of the bed and slowly put on my bathrobe. Still adjusting to the bright morning sun, I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. There they lined my walls, my old outdated cabinets. Sure, we had replaced the knobs last year, but twenty years worth of wood still hung from the ceiling. I reached for a coffee mug, brushing my arm against the counter top. Tan, gold, cream? I still don’t know what color category it falls into, but either way, it too is twenty years old.

As my coffee filled, I leaned against the old counter top and looked around. Thinking back to my dream, I envisioned the smoky-colored granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and tile flooring. Cherry wood cabinets with lighting would be the finishing touch. A nice big, country kitchen, to call my own! But, the “salesman” was right, it wouldn’t stop there. I know in time those desires would take over the bathrooms, furniture, landscape…and not because I need those things, but because I would want to have the best, like others. I picked up my coffee mug and took a slow sip. Contentment filled my heart, as a voice filled my mind, “You have more than enough.” In reality, I have more than most people ever will. Perhaps if I had the money, I would reconsider such purchases. But to go in debt, for the sole purpose of meeting others standards? Ah, no. Yet, people do it every single day. Gotta have the latest, the greatest…only to have it beaten by something even greater the following month. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time keeping up! So, as I look around the things that I have, or don’t have, I pray for contentment.

Has the desire for worldly “things” gotten the best of you? The next time you feel the urge to make a purchase, I challenge you to first ask yourself, “Do I need it or want it, and what is my motive behind this purchase.” Key word here is: Motive. If you're buying it to show off, or to keep up with those around you, I suggest you place it back on the shelf! Don't get me wrong, it is okay to dream and want things. I mean c'mon, I long to have that house out in the country! However, it is not okay to dwell over what you don't have. Secondly, if you don't have the cash in hand to pay for it, and have to pull out your trusty credit card, I urge you to put it back on the shelf! There is something so powerful about saving money for your item. Most of the time, once I have actual cash in hand for it, I no longer have the "need" it. Funny how that works!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)