Living like no one else

I mentioned in the Thanksgiving post that we are going through some financial "stuff" right now (that's the best way to put it). I really hesitated about sharing our stuff on the internet. I mean, I know tons of people dont read this but is it really smart to air your dirty laundry for the world to see? Yep - was the answer I received. Here's the deal: we have debt. Basic, average, living the american dream debt (car, student loans, credit card). We just realized, though, that being in debt isn't so much of a dream and not a legacy I want to pass on to my children. You know, the whole "borrower being servant to the lender" thing is not how we want to live.

So, I checked out the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace books from the library and got to work on our budget. (If you haven't read his stuff he really throws it at you and makes you realize 1st) debt stinks and is not how God intended us to live and 2nd) you can get out of it - with a lot of hard work, self-discipline and faith. Hmmm, all really good qualities to possess.) His motto is "live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later" or something like that. Basically, live frugally now - without all the "stuff" we think is so important but really isn't. Simplify your life. If you have any kind of debt, get rid of the nice cars, don't buy the designer clothes, don't fall into the pit of living the american dream with $80,00 worth of debt and then pass that legacy of debt onto your kids and grandkids. Then - when the debt is gone and your hard earned money is freed up from paying your debtors every month you can live like no one else.

I did our budget and almost had a minor heart attack when I realized how much of our income was going towards our debt. So, we are paying it off and we both realize that we cannot accomplish this with God. He does not want us to live in debt, He brought us to this point of wanting out of it and He is paving a way out for us. So, when it is all said and done - He will get all the glory and we can use our money (actually His money) to further His kingdom. I decided I will do some kind of journal of this time so that I can use it to show others who dont know Him what having faith in such an awesome God can do.

I think about our struggle to have kids and how God was right there with me - closer than I have ever felt Him - the whole time. He used that time to grow my faith in Him (even though he wasn't answering my prayers). I learned to love Him and trust Him in everything. But I never gave Him the glory. I kept it all to myself - there are probably so many couples going through the same thing who would benefit from knowing the peace that comes from trusting Him totally. So, this time will be different. I will let people know where we are and what He is doing (and I might still use our baby struggles to show how awesome He is).

So, there you have it. Our life right now in a nutshell. Looking forward to showing what an awesome God we serve.