Like it or not, it seems like I have been living my life to the chorus of this song lately. My husband and I have been juggling a lot of unexpected repairs and updates to our home, with the mindset of getting it more and more "sellable." In September, he begins seminary, and we are determined to do it at a pace that allows us to stay debt-free. Additionally, E's feet and limbs are suddenly growing at a pace that scares me, prompted most likely by the fact that she can now eat an entire sandwich in one sitting.
Everything else in my life runs on a tight leash except money, and to be honest, I've kinda liked it that way. We've never been excessively irresponsible with our money, but "budget" has always been a rather loose term in our house. We drive dependable, paid-for vehicles and organic/natural groceries are probably one of the biggest "splurges" on a monthly basis. We communicate about "big" purchases, but haven't been faithful about a "savings" account. We've certainly had moments of regrettable spending, but - praise the Lord - haven't yet seen a day where we've deeply despaired because of our financial circumstances. Up to this point, I'd say we've led a rather mediocre life in regards to our money.
Well - raise the glass - here's to new beginnings. God is certainly speaking into our lives the need for more responsibility in this area. It's one of those places in both of our hearts that, if left unchecked at this crossroad, will certainly lead to future regret and potential heartache. God doesn't call us to the cross and expect us to instantaneously morph into the perfect Christian, but as He continues to call us into fellowship and community with Him, he works in us a desire to become more and more like Him, one step at a time. Once he opens our eyes and hearts to a place where we are being unfaithful to Him, we become instantly responsible to obedience in that area. This "repentance" may be the one thing that holds people up from allowing Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior in their lives, but it's also the one thing that brings some of the greatest joy, peace and satisfaction in the Christian's soul.
We've done the budget thing in the past, even attended a Dave Ramsey event early on in our marriage, but now I feel the presence and the power of God in this area of our lives like never before. Trusting that He is going to be even more faithful to us than imaginably possible is no less than thrilling, as I look ahead and see - through human eyes - the challenges that await us in the coming months.
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." ~Romans 3:20-21
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