The Free Ride
All this economy stuff is just really causing alot of people headaches and worries. It really does shock you into reality about credit and finances doesn't it?
I was talking with our 13yo and one of the 11yos about the credit crisis. They were trying to understand why so many people are having such extreme problems. So, I tried to explain about how in society many people rely on credit in order to buy things. Some people have to buy food and clothing that way and others houses and cars. Of course the conversation turned to why don't people just save their money and then buy.
So, first off I am not attacking people with credit cards. I am however sharing how I at least attempt to teach my children about money.
In our family we do not have credit cards. I do have an account of credit for emergencies merely because we haven't had a chance to save a rainy day fund. We do not buy things unless the money is there. So, the girls were having a hard time understanding about people just going and buying because they wanted something.
I took them to the Bible. Galatians 6:7b ...for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
This verse and passage cover alot more important things than the economy, however it implies even with the economy that if you sow poor money management that it will come right back at you.
In the U.S. and elsewhere people are used to living above their means. Our government has enabled this with the easy loans and also with programs meant to help those in need. Fixing the problem starts at home. How are your finances?
In our house we are teaching our kids that while money does make the world go round, that it is not the source of life. Success in life isn't about how much stuff you have, it's about how many lives you have touched for good.
Perhaps I can have this view because the economic crisis isn't directly affecting us. Our mortgage isn't one of the ones in question, we don't have investments in these companies that are losing value. Yes, we are paying more for groceries, yes we pay more for gas, but we know that the Lord will provide. God is our Source.
Labels: giving it to Him, inspiration
Mother's Day
I do know this is a little late in coming. I apologize for that. This however is not a typical Happy Mother's Day you are wonderful post. Although there are tons of mother's out there that are awesome and wonderful.
No, this post is a realization post. See, I hate mother's day. This year especially with the turmoil that our family has gone through. We have had a lot go on. Some good some bad.
But without going into the personal things that our family has gone through, I want to share an intimate thing I have learned in the last week. First let me explain why I hate mother's day.
See, I and my husband have 6 kids. We are a blended family. The last two years that I sat in church on Mother's Day, the pastor honored the oldest mom, the newest mom, the mom with the most kids, etc. Here's my thing with that. What about the woman that miscarried last week? What about the woman that can't give birth to children? While I know in our church it is included that a mom is an adoptive mom, or a step mom, or a biological mom; it still bothers me. So what if I have 6 kids? Does it make me a better mother than a woman with only 1 child? No. It don't. It makes me more stressed out about how everything is going to get done.
Anyhow, this last week, I asked God to help me come to terms with Mother's Day. We knew we weren't going to make it to church because Jeff had to work and with my existing feelings I didn't really want to go. So I stayed home with the kids and watched church on TV.
Back to what God did for me. I was reading over some scripture and trying to keep the kiddos at bay, I think it was Friday. We had had a busy week last week with doctor's appointments and school IEPs and such, it was good to have a slow day. In the early evening as I was reading, it struck me that these blessings that I have been blessed with are not mine. These children are God's children not mine. I have no rights to them and I am not entitled to the children being mine. Meaning that they are with me because God has entrusted their care to me. I may not be perfect, but I do my best to keep my eyes on the Father and teach the kids of His love and of what He has done for us. I do this by letting Him shine through me.
So for me, Mother's Day has a new meaning. Instead of focusing on me, I take the time to reflect and relax. See where I can improve and what I need to hand over to God.
Labels: giving it to Him, God, Mom, mother, mother's day
