There is a bright side to this extra work that I have been doing. Eventually, there will be a paycheck. I have been working hard at my goal of becoming debt free. It has seemed like it would be impossible at times. But recently, it has seemed very do-able. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
And then...
Windows.
I've known I'd need to replace these one day. As I look around - and realize hot glue will only hold so long - I know the time is now. (especially with the end of the tax credit coming....)
So I called for an estimate. I knew it would be expensive. And when the man came out and measured everything, and figured the numbers, he confirmed my suspicion.
"Coincidentally", my recent extra work, and my teaching work (that begins next week!) pretty much cover it. Wonderful news! (Yea! God!)
Except.... the path that I was happily on - my goals, my plans to be debt-free - has taken an abrupt turn. Apparently, we're not taking the direct route!
I know, once all is said and done, it will all be good.... but I admit to taking a moment (or maybe even a whole day or two!) to pout, and say "that's not what I wanted!!"
I have to admit - even though right now, I don't feel like admitting it - the first thing that I thought when I realized the similarity in the budgetary lines, was ".... All I have needed, Thy hands hath provided...."
Great is His faithfulness unto me... I know.
I also know that, bottom line.... none if it is "mine", anyhow....
Maybe one day, I'll accept it, so that in the future, I won't have to waste a day or two pouting...
Showing posts with label Faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faithfulness. Show all posts
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Who I am....
Day by day, week by week, year by year, I discover more and more about myself.
One of the things that I am being shown (again?) is that I am an encourager. I'm not really the cheerleader type, though.
Perhaps that is why I love so much the term "re-center-er". It seems to "fit" my style better than the "ra-ra-rah! You can do it!" type of encouragement.
I continue to find myself sitting beside women in crisis - divorce, life changes, illness - reminding them that there is still purpose in their lives. I tap into my experiences with "grieving the wish", experiencing loss, examining the core of my being, letting go of everything I knew to be true, and allowing God to catch me.
From there, life improved. There was my hope.
For those that have been through it with me, I remind them of where I was. They nod. They have seen the path from the sidelines. I share a little of what goes on inside, on the days when I wasn't sure where power behind the next step would come from, or how the bills would be paid.
I remind them that I have never had a need be unmet. I've had to adjust my perspective some on what my true needs are, but those needs have always been provided.
And sometimes, I just sit and smile, as I witness the same happening in their lives.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
One of the things that I am being shown (again?) is that I am an encourager. I'm not really the cheerleader type, though.
Perhaps that is why I love so much the term "re-center-er". It seems to "fit" my style better than the "ra-ra-rah! You can do it!" type of encouragement.
I continue to find myself sitting beside women in crisis - divorce, life changes, illness - reminding them that there is still purpose in their lives. I tap into my experiences with "grieving the wish", experiencing loss, examining the core of my being, letting go of everything I knew to be true, and allowing God to catch me.
From there, life improved. There was my hope.
For those that have been through it with me, I remind them of where I was. They nod. They have seen the path from the sidelines. I share a little of what goes on inside, on the days when I wasn't sure where power behind the next step would come from, or how the bills would be paid.
I remind them that I have never had a need be unmet. I've had to adjust my perspective some on what my true needs are, but those needs have always been provided.
And sometimes, I just sit and smile, as I witness the same happening in their lives.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A Moment of Gratitude: My Job(s)
It wasn't too long ago that my perspective of what my "role" in the world is changed. Up until then, I considered myself a "Stay-at-Home Mom".
It had been a busy week, and I totaled my out-of-the-house work hours. I realized then that really, I am a "Working Mom". And, if you combine the hours between Trauma, teaching, massage and yoga, sometimes more full-time than part-time.
The gift and the blessing is that I am able to schedule my working hours while my kids are at school and with their dad. I am fortunate to be able to be as involved in my kids school as I am. I know that that is not true for everyone.
Opportunities continue to present themselves. I must remember to bring each before God before I jump in.
I thank You for providing for me in this way. I am grateful for the opportunities and the gifts.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord Unto Me....
It had been a busy week, and I totaled my out-of-the-house work hours. I realized then that really, I am a "Working Mom". And, if you combine the hours between Trauma, teaching, massage and yoga, sometimes more full-time than part-time.
The gift and the blessing is that I am able to schedule my working hours while my kids are at school and with their dad. I am fortunate to be able to be as involved in my kids school as I am. I know that that is not true for everyone.
Opportunities continue to present themselves. I must remember to bring each before God before I jump in.
I thank You for providing for me in this way. I am grateful for the opportunities and the gifts.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord Unto Me....
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Great is Thy Faithfulness.... Yet Again....
I continue to be amazed. Absolutely 100% amazed.
As I stand in awe and watch, I can hardly believe it. I try to look back and review the past several years. Have they been years of famine? Sure, some have felt like it! There have been moments when I was sure that it was only the grace of God that got me by. No other timing could have been so serendipitous or well choreographed.
And now, as I watch opportunity after opportunity, blessing after blessing come my way, 2010 has the appearance of a year of plenty. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, God!
May I always remember that all I have is a gift from You.
Keep me humble. Help me to live and choose wisely.
As I stand in awe and watch, I can hardly believe it. I try to look back and review the past several years. Have they been years of famine? Sure, some have felt like it! There have been moments when I was sure that it was only the grace of God that got me by. No other timing could have been so serendipitous or well choreographed.
And now, as I watch opportunity after opportunity, blessing after blessing come my way, 2010 has the appearance of a year of plenty. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, God!
May I always remember that all I have is a gift from You.
Keep me humble. Help me to live and choose wisely.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Reminiscing...
It's a night without any clear topic inspiration, so I do what I always do. Go sit on the deck, with my dog, under the stars. Only tonight... no stars.
The moon is nearly full, peering out behind an array of clouds. Then, the thoughts come. I wonder if anyone else has noticed how amazing the skies have been lately. Most days, for me, they look like they have been painted on, set as a backdrop to my little part of the world. I wonder if it's a change in the environment, or one inside of me.
I think back through the year of this blog - the past year of my life. I recall the events that have screamed to be heard, and others who have whispered in my ears. Equally important. Be the change subtle or profound, it is change nonetheless.
Life changes - children grow. Relationships deepen. Hope endures and Love never ends.
God continues to walk before me, behind me and by my side. Life is good. Even when I get my feet stuck in worldly concerns, He whispers.... "Trust me. I am with you."
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
The moon is nearly full, peering out behind an array of clouds. Then, the thoughts come. I wonder if anyone else has noticed how amazing the skies have been lately. Most days, for me, they look like they have been painted on, set as a backdrop to my little part of the world. I wonder if it's a change in the environment, or one inside of me.
I think back through the year of this blog - the past year of my life. I recall the events that have screamed to be heard, and others who have whispered in my ears. Equally important. Be the change subtle or profound, it is change nonetheless.
Life changes - children grow. Relationships deepen. Hope endures and Love never ends.
God continues to walk before me, behind me and by my side. Life is good. Even when I get my feet stuck in worldly concerns, He whispers.... "Trust me. I am with you."
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"YES!" and Yea God!
So, I had just been telling my friend the story of God's faithfulness during my divorce process. All the crazy "coincidental" things that had happened.... how He has ALWAYS provided. How He still does.
And now, yet another example:
One of the things planned during our summer vacation is a day at a local water park. It's about a three hour drive, and we've coordinated with two other families to meet there for the kids to play. We plan to drive up for the day, play hard and drive back - partly to decrease expenses. I've also been searching for OTHER ways to cut expenses - especially pertaining to this adventure - to help lessen the $100+ hit to the budget.
Monday morning at 9 a.m., I was logged onto "Go There Do This"- a local radio-station sponsored discount ticket site. Usually there are 50% off coupons for this water park that are replenished on Mondays at 9 a.m. Not this week. Drat. I'd have only ONE MORE Monday to check in order for them to arrive in time for us to use them.
I had forgotten that I had "bought" raffle entries (for water park tickets) at the local Christian Music radio station site a few days before. I had a ton of points for entering "artist of the day", etc. into their "Listener Rewards" program. So, I traded some points for some chances at these tickets.
Monday evening, after a long day at the pool and an evening of yoga and grocery shopping, I checked my email.
I WON!!
Two tickets to the water park! YES! YEA GOD!!
And now, yet another example:
One of the things planned during our summer vacation is a day at a local water park. It's about a three hour drive, and we've coordinated with two other families to meet there for the kids to play. We plan to drive up for the day, play hard and drive back - partly to decrease expenses. I've also been searching for OTHER ways to cut expenses - especially pertaining to this adventure - to help lessen the $100+ hit to the budget.
Monday morning at 9 a.m., I was logged onto "Go There Do This"- a local radio-station sponsored discount ticket site. Usually there are 50% off coupons for this water park that are replenished on Mondays at 9 a.m. Not this week. Drat. I'd have only ONE MORE Monday to check in order for them to arrive in time for us to use them.
I had forgotten that I had "bought" raffle entries (for water park tickets) at the local Christian Music radio station site a few days before. I had a ton of points for entering "artist of the day", etc. into their "Listener Rewards" program. So, I traded some points for some chances at these tickets.
Monday evening, after a long day at the pool and an evening of yoga and grocery shopping, I checked my email.
I WON!!
Two tickets to the water park! YES! YEA GOD!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Needs vs. Wants
The debate between "Needs" and "Wants" pops up in my life from time to time. Usually right after I receive my tax return, or have a month with some overtime in my paycheck.
I keep a running list of things that I "need" and things that I "want". That way, if I come upon - say a church yard sale - I have an idea of what to look for.... it also helps keep impulse buying to a minimum.
Most things are pretty easy to sort onto the appropriate lists. But sometimes the lines are blurred. I mean, I don't "NEED" it, but it sure would make my life MUCH easier or function more smoothly if I had it. It is with those items that I struggle.
I was fortunate this past week. My son has been wanting a new mattress. He is a bit of "The Princess and the Pea" sort, and his was "uncomfortable". (But, he had one, so did he NEED one?) Fortunately, the one I found at the church yard sale, suits him wonderfully!
The funny thing is - as I have spent the past week sorting some items onto their respective lists - one song, that we will sing this morning, brings it all back into perspective.
"All I have needed Thy hands hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, Unto me..."
I keep a running list of things that I "need" and things that I "want". That way, if I come upon - say a church yard sale - I have an idea of what to look for.... it also helps keep impulse buying to a minimum.
Most things are pretty easy to sort onto the appropriate lists. But sometimes the lines are blurred. I mean, I don't "NEED" it, but it sure would make my life MUCH easier or function more smoothly if I had it. It is with those items that I struggle.
I was fortunate this past week. My son has been wanting a new mattress. He is a bit of "The Princess and the Pea" sort, and his was "uncomfortable". (But, he had one, so did he NEED one?) Fortunately, the one I found at the church yard sale, suits him wonderfully!
The funny thing is - as I have spent the past week sorting some items onto their respective lists - one song, that we will sing this morning, brings it all back into perspective.
"All I have needed Thy hands hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, Unto me..."
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