To God be the Glory - Our Car Situation.....Part 2

SO an update to my last post regarding the car situation: We checked on Monday night and it didn't work. The backseat was still just a tad soo small and the car seats wouldn't install. To be honest, I was a bit bummed and disappointed. But we're choosing to be joyful about the situation. Actually, we're pretty excited about it. Not in the fact that we're excited to buy a new car (that does NOT sound like fun to me) but excited that God is going to do great things with this. This "trial" or "disappointment" is opening a door in which God will provide some how, some way - and we'll get to brag on Him about it. I don't know what He's going to do or what He's going to provide, but I know it'll meet all our needs and then some. I know He'll pour out His blessings to us. We are already seeing blessings that are coming down. I told you last time that I was going to get to brag on God in this next post -- so here it is. All the super awesome things He's done and revealed to us within the past 3 days. For starters, He's allowing this situation to refine us and to be always reminded where our blessings come from. I really believe that one reason this might be happening is to remind us of God's provision and allow us to be placed in a situation where we remember that it's not by our work, but God's grace that we have things. Another blessing is revealing an area of my own life that could use refining -- covetousness and holding onto material things. One option for us is to sell my Saturn. When Darrin first suggested that, I gasped as if he just suggested that we sell Brooklyn on the black market. My grandparents gave me this car and I have some serious sentimental value with it. I love this car. My heart dropped at the mention of not having it. But it's just that...a car. It's just a thing. It terms of our eternal life -- it has no value. And God showed me that I need to release all hold that I have of any kind of material stuff - even ones with sentimental value. Putting those "things" in a high regard, I risk putting them above God. And that kind of idolatry is not only a sin, it runs the risk of ruining my relationship with the Lord. Simply, it's not worth it. We need to constantly focus our eyes on Him and not let material things distract us from that.

Another blessing is that we're re-looking at our budget and seeing any flaws in which we can be better stewards of the finances He's given us. And when we stripped away everything - we realized that there's more that we can save than we originally thought. Of course, that means some things will have to go, but that's okay. We're thankful for an over abundance and a chance to save without getting another job or anything. Now I feel I need to say that, although I totally believe and know God will provide -- I also believe that He has called us to be wise with the money He's entrusted us with. And because we are so very grateful for all He's given us financially , we want to make sure that we spend it in the right way. So practically, that looks like this: cutting things out of our current budget and trying to save as much as we can in the next several months. This will take us re-evaluating our lifestyle and remembering that we are not entitled to any of this money. It's all from God. I know that in these next months, Satan will use lots of things to try and distract us. So I ask for your specific prayers in this area. I know he'll tell us that we have several events we just "have" to attend and spend money on. He'll tell us that our kids "deserve" a nice Christmas (meaning that we need to buy them lots of stuff). He'll tell us that Darrin works so hard and that it's really not that big of a deal if we finance a car if we can pay it off within a year. All these things are lies and distractions from what God has told us what to do. They all say "you are entitled to ____" - which, in reality, we are not entitled to any of this. It's all a gift from the Lord. I pray that within these next couple of month - we keep our eyes focused on the Giver and remain being grateful and generous. That's another prayer of mine - that we don't stop giving to where God is calling us just because we feel like we have to save money. By giving to others- it helps keep our mind on the One who gives us all things - including eternal life, the greatest gift of all!

Anywho - this is long and drawn out and I'm just rambling now. Sorry. I did want to say though - I know several of our family and friends who are on this journey with us of being debt free and staying that way. So this is for you: keep pressing on. I know it's difficult and I know at times (especially during this season of the year) it's easy to get distracted (trust me, I had to immediately throw out the Target and Sephora catalogue I got in the mail yesterday. It was torturing me just sitting there!). But please know that the journey you are on is a good one and that is CAN be done. I know that our society tells you that debt is a part of life -- to accept it and use it. That you can't possibly buy anything without putting it on credit or borrowing the money from someone. I know people will look at us like we are either CRAZY or ridiculously rich (neither are true) to be able to pay for a car in cash. But it CAN be done. (I know people who have saved for 10+ years and paid for a HOUSE in cash. wow!) It takes hard work. It takes the discipline in saying "no" to things (remember, money is neutral. YOU tell your money where to go. So if you're spending one place and upset there's not enough going somewhere else - re-evaluate your priorities). It takes focus on God and constantly praying about what He wants you to do with the money He's given you. But it is possible. If you are on this journey and want to know specifics on stuff, pleasse don't hesistate to ask. I know we're all doing this together and if we can provide some encouragement (while you are providing us with accountability) - than that is just another great blessing God is granting. And always, ALWAYS remember - do not put your security in the management of money. Our security lies with Christ alone. His grace is sufficient. He is all we need.