Have you ever had one of those days?
Of course you have, because chances are you are older than 5, and that is the age when things truly start to hit the fan. By our teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond, the fan is gone the problems we face keep getting bigger.
Well, our woe is not cataclysmic on a grand scale. Still, life hands us lemons and poo like everyone else. When it’s happening to you, it’s a big deal. For example:
• The “check engine” light came on in my truck. I was driving at the time, so I was sure I still had an engine. But I couldn’t help feeling a little sick to my wallet at the little bright yellow letters in ALL CAPS. Can’t it say “check engine, please” in a kinder, gentler font?
• Our tub started leaking earlier this week. “Started” is a misnomer, really it just keeps getting worse and worse. We knew this all along, as a plumber previously diagnosed the problem, but told us we could wait until it got worse. Guess what?
• And wow! Our furnace decided to quit last night! It would fire up, but then the relay that told the blower to start fell down on the job. And it was going to be in the 20s last night!
• Yay! We’re out of money! Had to pay the mortgage and several other bills on my last paycheck. And guess what? We don’t have a lot of food and the Cutlet needs more diapers! I know most of you have felt this feeling, that there’s just too much month at the end of the money. It’s not a good feeling at all, is it?
But wait! I don’t want your sympathy, although a bit of empathy would go a long way. Nor do I seek any form of monetary donation. Put your checkbooks away, lovely friends of the online world.
These problems melted into insignificance, by the grace of God to whom all glory and honor is due:
• The “check engine” light went off, and upon consulting the owner’s manual, the truck simply knows it is overdue for an oil change. Whew.
• The tub is leaking, but because I’m taking forever to renovate our other bathroom, I still have a hole in the wall on the other side through which I can see under the tub drain. It’s gross in there, but I think a temporary solution is to unclog the drain. Our toilet has been acting up, too, which is a sure sign of a clog, or of tree roots in the sewer line. Whew! That’s an $80 service call, rather than one that would require a whopper loan or a winning lottery ticket to finance.
• We have a gas furnace, so erring on the side of caution (and a really cold night under 20 blankets), we turned it off. However, even though the Cutlet had an extra layer of blankets, I couldn’t bear to think he’d wake up cold. After all, about 3 a.m. I woke up cold. Very cold.
So I crept out into the hall, flipped the “on” switch at the thermostat, and waited. I heard the whoosh of the gas ignite, and then, miraculously, the blower worked. Hot air poured forth from our vents. And it worked through every cycle it went through the whole night.
Not that I got any sleep afterward, my mind racing through escape scenarios in case the furnace decided to explode. But I was warm in my franticness. We will have it serviced by a professional in the VERY near future, at a minimal cost compared to replacing the whole thing. It's not a particularly nice furnace, but it was installed new right before we bought our house.
• As for the last, and most troubling tale of poo, we are still broke. It’s more than another week to payday, but we’ll make it. We have our health, a mostly warm home, each other, and some food.
Plus, we received a check in the mail that we weren’t expecting – not much, but enough to fund an emergency trip to the grocery store. And maybe an oil change.
It stops being a coincidence when it happens every time. Thank you, Jesus.
Oh man I so feel your pain. After many pay cuts and 3 years contracting I was left with little to no savings and then Jan 1 I started teh new job thinking all was well. Then I found out that I wouldnt recieve a paycheck till the 30th. Talk about worried! Was I ever. Two days later I was reassured to find out that I will be getting paid the 15th! Thank god! It sure is scary knowing you need more money and it isnt going to be there!
Hope your day is going better now!
Dew
You're a good man. :-)
Being a fellow resident of Tarrant Cty.....It is only proper of me to express and open-invite to you and yours. If you are ever in need of emergency food/shelter/etc. just hollar!! You will not be billed....no fine print. My wife might not want the Cutlet to leave, but who would???!!!
I love to hear about answered prayers. I don't believe in coincidences either.
amen.
Glad most everthing worked out!!
A suggestion for the future learned from our experience. Does your new job have a credit union or direct deposit to bank account? Every paycheck put an amount (maybe $50 per month) that's small enough to not be missed but large enough to count up in a savings account for the large-ish ticket items not covered by "insurance." We seemed to always be using that account for new tires but all of your possible problems would come under the same umbrella. The trick is to not ever see the money in your take-home pay and not to use the money if you can cover the expense out of regular funds.
I adore the phrase, 'There's just too much month at the end of the money.'
Absolutely.
I plan to use this and I will only site my source the first three times and then I will claim it as mine own. ;-)
I have been repeatedly amazed at how things work in this house since we decided I would stay at home. Our financial house could use some straightening and my husband does a LOT of juggling...but it always works out.
Thank God.
Sounds like all your problems are on hold at least for the moment.
Being broke builds character. This too shall pass
Isn't it wonderful how God provides? At times like these, I am reminded of one of my favorite Babylon 5 quotes: "Faith manages."
Something I learned as I was growing up: God will never let us bear more burdens than we are capable of.
I'm glad things are better for you. I've been there as a single mom and now I must watch my daughter go through similar experiences, and believe me, it's painful for me because I can't help her as much as I would like.
I work with individuals whose net worth would feed an entire city of homeless people for the rest of their days. While they personally contribute to worthwhile causes ( including MY paycheck) they really are clueless how the rest of us peons live. They never have had to worry where the money was coming from for kids' braces, furnaces, or food. Ah, such is life.
I do not believe in coincidence. God is able and faithful to provide for His children. He has seen me through many seemingly hopeless situations. Like you, times get rough, but He always makes a way.
been there...that stinks...way to keep everything in perspective. you always have a way of doing that.
loved...too much month at the end of the money. hehehe
Hey, I'm glad you're staying optimistic and keeping the faith. I'm pulling for you!
Last night we dumped $336.47 on a new alternator. Ouch.
As you say...it happens to us all.
Felt my family jewels being drawn up into my belly when the credit card statement came for December! And its due date would only happen to be January 13th....way before payday!
Life I guess...and as you say Thanks be to God! It could be worse.