Shopping for Purses

Ladies, you all know there's nothing quite like getting a new purse!

Purses, handbags, pocketbooks, clutches...no matter what we call them, they are a part of regular life as a woman.

Purses are so important and useful. We need them! I mean, we carry them around with us almost everywhere we go. They hold all of our necessities (plus a lot of stuff we don't actually need), and they tend to complete our "look." They can be lots of fun, too!

However, because we constantly have our bags with us, and we need them for so many things...we generally tend to be very particular about what sort of bag we have.

That can make shopping for a new purse rather...cumbersome.

Don't you just love when the perfect purse just seems to jump off the shelf at you as you pass by on your way to the yoga pants?? But let's face it...that doesn't happen often. Normally, it's a process. A long one.

There are so many options...think of all the things we have to consider when checking out the racks for a new bag: Price, size, color/texture, depth, number of pockets (and depth of those pockets), type of straps, overall cuteness, ect...

That's quite a list. And our lists will look different depending on what sort of personality we have and what sort of life we live. Busy, laid-back, business-like, casual, girlie, tough...

I mean, when I look for a new purse, there are a lot of questions I ask myself...

Do I like how this purse looks? Is it versatile? Do I want something similar to the purses I've had before, or something completely different? Will it carry all I need? How well will I be able to organize it? How deep are the pockets? How many pockets are there..and will I tend to lose things in those pockets? Do I want a tough, structured bag, or a softer one with a lot of give? What kind of strap do I want....a long one that wraps around my body, or shorter ones that I can hang on my arms or carry in my hands? And, most importantly...how much will it cost me?

If you've ever shopped for a new purse (especially if it has been a while since the last time you did), then you know exactly what I'm talking about. You're familiar with these questions because you've asked them all yourself.

So here comes the crazy part.

Last night, I dreamed that I was shopping for a new purse...and when I woke up, I realized something extraordinary: Looking for a new purse is just like looking for a new man.

That's right. I just went there.

You may be thinking...what in the world?? At first, so was I. You're probably thinking I'm nuts, but think about it:

All those questions you ask yourself when looking for a new purse are many of the same exact questions you ask yourself when deciding whether or not you should keep a man.

Good men are so imporant, and useful. We need them! When we have one, he comes with us almost everywhere we go. A good man checks off every item on our "ideal guy" list. They compliment our weaknesses with their strengths, and vice-versa. They just "go" with us. And, they can be a lot of fun to be around! However, because we could potentially spend the rest of our lives with them, we tend to be very particular about what sort of man we have.

I mean, when I am "looking for a new man," so to speak, there are a lot of questions I ask myself...

Am I attracted to him? Why or why not? How versatile is he? Do I want someone similar to the guys I've dated before, or someone completely different? Will he be able to help me carry the weight of this life? How well-organized is he? Is he shallow, or is he deep? How many different "pockets" does he have in his life...which "pockets" are the biggest, and how deep and meaningful are those "pockets?" Do I want a tough, structured man, or one who is softer with a little more give? Do I want the sort of man who always puts his arms around me, one who likes it when I take his arm, or one who is content just holding my hand? And, most importantly...how much will he cost me - how much am I willing to invest in him (personally, emotionally, spirtitually, and/or physically)?

See? Not so very different after all.

And, ladies, you know this too: you won't find good quality at the dollar store. It matters where you shop. If you want something to be true and good, to fit right, and to last a really long time, you can't expect to find something like that at Dollar General. No. You go where the good stuff is.

So, if you're looking for the right man - a good man - one who loves the Lord above all else, and because of that love is able to love you beyond even your high expectations...you likely won't find him drinking in a bar, gambling at a casino, or living in his mom's basement.

You are a beautiful creation, and you deserve the best! Don't settle for dime-store chince when you can have Prada!

Yes, to have a lasting relationship (and eventually, a lasting marriage) with this dream guy, you will have to do some investigating. It will be an investment of time and energy. But, if he really is the right guy...the return on that investment will be a hundred-fold. He'll make sure of that! :) When looking for the man who will one day be your husband, you should be particular. Have high standards, and keep them high! Don't be afraid to compare. Open up all the pockets. Ask the really hard questions...and if you feel the answers aren't what they should be, be willing to put that one "back on the shelf" and look elsewhere. (And remember - you might just find exactly what you're looking for when you're not looking for it at all.)