Spoiled!

In Hawaii this past July, daughter #4, Theresa, and I were quietly roasting, even though we were in the shade under a canopy, waiting for the arrival of the two o'clock train to tour the Dole Pineapple Plantation.  There was a big crowd and we were queued in line.  Folks were just chatting with their neighbors when the train pulled in.  A little girl, about 3 or 4 years old, spotted the train but she and her family had joined the end of the line.  When the train left without her, she screamed, "I wanna get on the train!"  She continued this whining for the next half-hour till the train returned. Her family might as well have been invisible!  They said not a word nor made an effort to explain to her or at least comfort her. Theresa and I entrained and the little girl was again left behind.  (You can read about this day in my travel blog at www.rockingthruworld.blogspot.com, Monday, July 22, 2013, "Cruisin' Around").

Obviously the child was totally undisciplined and probably spoiled.  By "spoiled," I mean handicapped by possessing whatever objects are desired and having an attitude of entitlement; devoid of appreciation for gifts and giver.  Not only children can be ruined by being spoiled by the adults in their lives.  Adults can spoil themselves.

One of my deceased elderly relatives, Greta, grew up normally, from what I heard.  Then when she got married she started collecting jewelry and household knick-knacks, especially linens and pots and pans.  Her husband indulged her.  Why?  I'll never know; he passed away before she did. Apparently, they always spent up to the limit of their credit.

I visited Greta's home once.  I was utterly fascinated about how every single bit of horizontal surface (tables, counters, etc., and all the walls were entirely occupied by unrelated objects.  In addition to their large house, Greta and her husband, Willy, had two large storage buildings to hold her collections.  Greta told me that, looking back, she regretted all her collections. There were boxes and boxes that were stored and forgotten.  Greta shared, "I know we paid more in storage fees, over the years, than all the collections were worth."  Greta had spoiled herself but her husband enabled her (Greta hadn't earned a dime in years.)

Long story short, Willy died, Greta had to auction most of what she owned, then lost their house to the bank, and she ended up in public housing on welfare.  Greta died soon thereafter.

It's so easy to charge whatever we want when we are working (or someone is working).  If we spend to our limits of credit, we're treading on thin ice if we get sick or worst-cast scenario, if we lose our jobs.  It's very, very hard to climb out from under credit card debt.  I'm not looking down my nose pointing my finger at anyone, I've had to climb out myself several times!  No more!

How do we avoid spoiling ourselves?  It's all in our attitude: stewardship.  God is the one who gives us our very lives and everything we have. We have to use it for a good purpose, not to just acquire objects, or acquire more expensive objects.  In addition to spending wisely, we need to give charitably and generously.  Of course, we need to save for that emergency.

It helps create an attitude of stewardship if we periodically deny ourselves legitimate pleasures for a higher purpose.  Some Christian religions have a time of fasting and alms-giving in Lent, the six weeks before Easter.  People may 'give up' the pleasure of their choosing.  Some would give up a particular food, such as chocolate.  Other may give up computer games.  One year, I gave up eating cake and cookies.  On Easter, the cake had never tasted so exquisite!  But it unmistakably helps avoid spoiling ourselves, and creates some needed self-discipline.

Do you know any spoiled brats?  They are severely handicapped when they grow up!  It is highly unlikely they'll find someone to indulge their every whim.  Beware, if you are dating a spoiled person, your life will be miserable!