So I know in polite conversation you aren’t supposed to talk about God, politics or money. I already talk about God because He’s everything to me. And although I have very strong opinions about most things, I’ve decided to refrain from politics. But today I just gotta vent a bit about money.
Oh my goodness!!! I think it is literally pouring out of my bank account…there must be a faucet turned on that I’m unaware of and I desperately need to find it…FAST!!!
Yesterday I had to get new glasses…and since I’m over 40 they’re transition lenses. It’s a worthwhile investment (I hope) but ouch! Today the A/C motor went out and as the repairman gave me the quote I seriously wondered if we could just go without A/C upstairs this summer. Oh well…it’s just money right?
Tomorrow the car goes to the shop because I believe it has some serious indigestion problems. I’m hoping I get a mechanic that won’t take advantage of my inexperience with cars.
I also need to write a check to my community pool for the summer. We don’t do vacations…we jump in the pool! I just have to join.
In a few days I have to write a big ole check to the state of Virginia. I love my state but golly! Not THAT much!
I wish those were the only things…but it just goes on and on and on…
The year after my husband left I was so frugal that even with my tight budget I could save. And I took great comfort in that savings account. It was my security blanket.
My Dad asked me once how I was doing financially and I said, “I’m actually doing okay.” And I thought, “Wow! I am.” And then I patted myself on the back for having a savings account and being so careful. And I thought how wonderful it was that I had that safety net.
And then almost instantly I realized that I was trusting my own ability to take care of myself and my children. Not that it isn’t important to be wise with money, to be frugal and to save, but I had put an awful lot of faith in myself – in my ability to provide for my family. It was no longer about just being prepared it was about being in control.
I prayed for forgiveness and the right perspective. And BOY! Did God give it!
All of a sudden it seemed like everything needed repairs or to be replaced. Apparently my house had reached “middle-age” and needed some TLC. Unfortunately that TLC came at the expense (and I do mean expense) of my security blanket.
My savings account dwindled down in a surprisingly fast fashion. But I began again to put my trust in God…I didn’t have the money to trust anymore…therefore, the ability to control or at least feel in control was gone too.
I’m thinking maybe I didn’t learn that lesson adequately enough
…or God likes me in this place.
Because money just refuses to enter or stay in my account. I mean really…it’s getting almost comical. (Almost.)
I’m not sure how to approach it. I don’t know that I can add another thing to my life. But I gotta pray – maybe God will open my eyes to opportunities around me or ways I can save more.
But even though there is a bit of panic in my heart and head about this, I’m determined to trust that God will provide all that I need.
Okay…so while I’ve been typing this the repairman has been trying to fit the universal motor in my a/c unit and guess what!?! My unit will have none of it … they have to special order the part. It’s gonna cost more!!! ROTFL!
Seriously, I can’t stop laughing.
You know what…just bring it…God’s got this.
uptomytoes 
I hear you. Financial concerns are one of my biggest fears about my new separation. Aside from the long-term impact of the separation and likely divorce on my kids, financial concerns are my biggest worry. How will I have enough to keep my household running and get the things they need? Yet in the past couple of months, I’ve seen God already providing for me in amazing ways. There was one day I was concerned that I didn’t have a bed for my daughter for my new house. The next morning I had an email from a woman in my congregation asking me if I could use a twin bed. That’s no coincidence. God has us in His hands. We may not be able to take fancy vacations, or retire at 55, but we will have Him and we will have what we need. Even if we don’t have A/C.
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Amen!! We can sweat and praise God together!!
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In my course through single parenting, at one point I said to God that I was hanging by a thread financially. And actually, I got an image: Of me, suspended by what were hundreds of threads. I thanked Jesus that He had provided so many threads. But when someone rear-ended my 173,000 mile car, the week after I had the major scheduled maintenance done, I got a new image (I am not kidding): of a huge pair of scissors coming and cutting all the little threads. Then after insurance company settlements that got a car that lasted me 9 months, but the car after that only had 18,000 miles on it , and got it for $4500 net, And my son got a laptop from it. I really see that the threads were cut to drop me into the everlasting arms. So living on $20 until payday next Tuesday, really isn’t so bad, in fact, since I am in the everlasting arms, it is downright good. I will be praying for you 😉
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Jim,
Thank you so much – what a beautiful image.
And I’m so grateful for your prayers.
In Him,
Sue
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