Shortly after we moved here my husband hurt his finger, not badly, just enough to need a bandaid and some antibacterial cream. So he headed down the block to the closest pharmacy and returned with a small tube of ointment and three bandaids.
Me: Three bandaids?
Him: Yeah.
We both stared at the three bandaids on the table until I couldn't take it anymore.
Me: Why three?
Him: Well, I went in and asked the pharmacist for bandaids. He went to the back, and returned with a small box, opened it, and asked, "How many do you need?" It confused me. I thought maybe they were rationing bandaids, so I asked for three.
Me: Hmph. (not a judgmental hmph, an oh-that's-interesting hmph)
A week or so later we needed some antihistamine, different pharmacy same story.
Pharmacist: How many do you need?
Don: Um, six?
We both stared a the silver rectangular blister pack of pills.
Me: Six?
Him: Yeah. (big sigh)
Sensing a pattern we started asking around.
Don: Hey, I went to the pharmacy the other day and the guy opened a box of bandaids and asked me how many I wanted. Is there a limit on bandaids here?
Neighbor: No, a lot of people here can't afford to buy a box of bandaids, so they buy just what they need for today.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Just what I need for today. To only have enough to plan for the day I'm in, enough light to see the step I'm on.
It takes a tremendous amount of faith to live just for today.
I have made myself crazy trying to ensure everything is just right so that I can keep on going. Having faith in myself, that's terrifying. I know me. I know how many mistakes I make. How can I possibly sort it out?
Just enough bandaids for today.
That phrase is my new mantra. It's a reminder of why we started this journey. Why we took a leap of faith into a journey that is richer because we stopped chasing money and started following life. An effort to stop believing in ourselves and start walking in faith with a God who is much bigger than us.
I know there's a huge difference between not having the money to buy bandaids and choosing to reduce the number of bandaids I buy. But the lesson is there. Enough for today.
"Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Jesus
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