I’m a little leery to share today’s springboard with you. To do so, I’ll be sharing some of my weaknesses and flaws. However, it is probably good to pass on that really I post these springboards for me; you just get to listen in for free. If you weren’t reading this, I would still post because I put these springboards out to remind me so I can overcome the weaknesses I’ve worked so hard to develop over the past 35 years.
In just the past two weeks, I’ve reached an understanding that has revolutionized my prayer life and deepened my relationship with God.
The background is that for most of my life I’ve handled money abysmally. Even after learning better, old habits died hard. This has left me in the sad position that what others who have planned better might consider small emergencies are DEFCON level 5 crises for me. For instance, we recently had some work done on the Suburban and my friend who did the work basically said, “This might last two weeks, it might last two years, but its time to start looking for something new.” This poses a problem. We don’t have a car savings. Additionally, we are now working our way through the Dave Ramsey approach of getting out of debt. Therefore, we don’t want to borrow money to buy a vehicle.
Add to that, my wife went to the dentist and we learned she has some work that is imminent and extremely costly. And I really do mean extremely. As long as a tooth doesn’t break, we can hold off. But once that happens, then it will be an emergency. Like the car, we don’t have a dental savings. We’re still doing that Dave Ramsey stuff, which means we don’t want to borrow money for this either.
Here’s a separate springboard for you…SAVE MONEY! As Dave Ramsey says, the rain is coming, you need a rainy day fund.
But back to my main thought. In my mind’s eye, because of my own financial folly, I have these two anvils hanging over my head held by fraying strings. At any moment, they’ll come crashing down. Every day, I beg God not to let it happen. However, I’ve been holding out on my thanksgiving. I’ve had the idea that when I have the money to get a new vehicle before the Suburban breaks down, then I’ll give thanks. Or when I have the money to pay for dental work before the emergency hits, then I’ll give thanks.
Here is the problem with that. Each day is spent in amazing fear that today might be the day. When that is my mindset, a wedge is being pushed between me and God. The relationship dwindles. However, just recently, I was thinking about living one day at a time as Matthew 6:34 teaches. It hit me. I haven’t been giving God His due thanksgiving.
Today, the Suburban is still running. Today, Marita’s teeth are still working. Who knows what might happen tomorrow, but today, God has delivered me from these crises. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, I need to acknowledge Him. As I’ve learned to give God thanks for daily victories, I no longer see Him as the adversary. I realize He’s not obligated to stave off the crises coming because of my own folly. Yet, today, He has done so. Therefore, today, instead of being filled with fear about tomorrow, I’m filled with gratitude about today.
The more I see God’s daily victories, the closer I draw to Him. As I offer this thanksgiving and think about the daily blessings God has given me, my faith in Him increases. Who knows, maybe tomorrow will be the day it all comes crashing down. However, I’m learning each day that God will see me through today. When that “today” gets here, He’ll see me through that day as well.
So, today I thank God. He is providing my victory today.
Edwin — hard times also bring opportunities. Right now you can find amazing deals on cars of all kinds. And dentists are frantic about people choosing to wait on all but emergencies. Thus they are more than willing to negotiate their usual fees. I just purchased a beautiful Volvo for a young lady we are helping. I paid $1260 for a car that most people would assume cost $4000. Good stewardship has multiple components — one being that of saving money – another being willing to find and "see" what most people never see. Asking and negotiating in love is a legitimate method of saving money.
Don't wait until you are desperate. Accept the early warnings here and look for your best solutions. And enjoy the process of personal growth!
I'm glad you shared this. This is one I'll need to read and re-read to get it really deep in my head and my heart. I am so weak.
Dan, thanks for the good advice. I do need to learn to open my eyes and look around.
Bekah, join the club, that's why we need Jesus.
That's definitely something for which I need to be more thankful. People are losing jobs at companies where I declined job offers out of college. I could have been one of those people. I need to be more thakful for that.
I keep sulking that I didn't take Dave Ramsey's class until last year, after I had already undertaken a car note on top of student loans. Instead, I can be thankful that I at least started getting things on track last year, before Ike, the economic crisis, and my wedding.
Thanks for giving me a place to focus more thanksgiving.