The American Myth
It's sad but honestly there are days when I find it to be more true than ever.
Our church is doing a series of sermons on the topic of "Trading Up" which got me thinking about material things. Our society begs us to do just this, Trade Up; get the new phone, new car, new sweater, new watch, new kitchen appliances, new couch, new shoes, new purse, new decor, new house, new new new new NEW. Before I continue, please know that there isn't always a problem with getting something new or replacing something that is in need of repair or just plain old. When it comes in excess or is feeding a high that you can't fulfill anywhere else, we've got a problem. I succumb to trading up often, or at least am teased daily and battle my heart and mind hourly. I see the new (insert material thing) that my neighbor has, and instantly mine is garage sale worthy and I find myself wallowing in self-pitty and am convincing myself that Lucy now needs the new (material thing). Does anyone else relate? Maybe not to that extreme, but even going to other people's houses I find myself envious of the new countertops or hardwood floors, or the cool finished basement ( I LOVE my house by the way). I hate that I start comparing myself and my things to people the second I see something I like that I don't have. I want to trade up. I want the new granite countertops, I want the tile floor, I want the fancy toys they have surrounded their kids with. I want to go to Earth Fare and Whole Foods and spend our whole monthly budget on delicious, fancy, organic food. I want to drive a new car with leather seats and the newest gadgets inside. I want to go on an extravagant vacation. I would be lying if I told you I didn't want these things, or at least have wanted them at some point.
I battle everyday to aspire to the American Dream I grew up learning about. I battle between the person God has called me to be, and the person I envision in my dreams. The American Dream is a Myth. We don't NEED every fancy new gadget out there, we don't need to go into debt to shop at the "right" places. We don't need the newest car or latest technology. We don't need to go into thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt to get a degree that we will live the rest of our lives trying to pay off.
The American Dream is great. You go to college. You get hired right out of college and are earning six figures right away doing what you love most. You buy a new car and a new house. You get married and have 2.5 kids and have a beautiful green yard that just happens to grow perfectly every year. You have no maintenance issues with anything in your life. You get promoted every year to a higher salary and this doesn't include the all inclusive vacation that your company gives you every Christmas. You live happily ever after in the suburbs of the city of your choice.
The reality that I see is this. You think that you will get hired right away, sadly today's economy differs. That there will be pay raises, you may just get the opposite. You may have to buy a used car, or if you buy new realize you will be going into debt to do so. You may not be able to afford a down payment for that dream home of yours. You may have trouble having kids. You may have to pay an insane amount of money to be debt free after college. You will have to pay to keep your grass green. You will randomly have to shell out a lot of money to get rid of critters (something we are dealing with now). We are teasing ourselves if we think that the American Dream is something that is easy and common for everyone. That just isn't the case.
I battle with the devil telling me You're not good enough, what you have isn't enough, you need what other people have. It's the "grass is always greener" trap my mind plays with me when I am not constantly reminding myself of who I am and who God calls and has called me to be. I recently read in Sarah Young's Jesus Calling,
"If you gaze too long at your circumstances, you will become dizzy and confused. Look to Me, refreshing yourself in My presence, and your steps will be steady and sure."
This phrase has continued to play in my head the last few weeks, as I have been wanting to "trade up" my vehicle. Lucy is now in the larger car seat and I have a heck of a time getting her in and out of my car. My husband and I have very reliable cars, that have been wonderful to us. And more importantly we own them. I know I don't need a new car, but I want one. It would make my life easier, not that that is reason enough. We have been looking at vans and SUV's and I just want a bigger car. I feel selfish even writing those words, as I know there are hundreds of thousands of people out there that have a need for something much greater, like food or water. It's turned into almost an obsession when I am out and about and compare cars. I have been praying about it...and one thing I know for sure. God will provide when it's necessary, I can continue to do gymnastic moves with Lucy to get her in and out of the car (it will be like a game), and I don't need the brand new mini van that just came off the line. The American myth has shown me that it isn't worth killing ourselves over something that is so temporary. I am sure when Lucy is 16 she will have no recollection of what car I was driving when she was one or what I had to do to get her in it.
The American Dream is a myth. The grass isn't always greener. Sometimes that old car will give you the memories some people dream of having.
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