We knew that after the Petite Filet used up her vacation during her otherwise unpaid maternity leave, we’d be in a financial conundrum of epic proportions. We own a modest home, newish but modest cars and have a wee bit o’ the credit card debt. But to live within our means, we, like so many others, must both work like we mean it. We planned for this, scraped together pennies, took on some extra projects and pocketed some of the money from a vehicle sale to build up our savings. All is good.
And then we’re dealt the news that it won’t be just one month of tough times, but two consecutive months before the PF’s normal salary kicks back in. Panic time! Do I need to get a part-time job? Do we need to carpool? Sell half our stuff? Donate a kidney?
With tax time rolling around, we were waiting to get tax-related documents from our jobs, the PF’s now-defunct side business, childcare providers and our church. We finally got around to estimating our refund, and it’s a whopper. Normally, that’s a concern because one need not lend the feds your dough interest-free when you could use it paycheck-to-paycheck. But the addition of the Riblet in late 2006 (daddy’s little tax credit!) and our purchasing a new car in late 2006 (we can deduct the sales tax here), it equals more than a month of the PF’s salary. By e-filing, we will most likely get it in time to keep us fluid.
Add to that a nice bonus I’m getting from work, just for being so awesome. Not sure when that’s coming, but knowing it’s on the way is mighty fine indeed.
It would be easy to chock this up to coincidences, but when things like this happen over and over again, it’s easy for me to have more faith in a higher power. Not just any, mind you. I’m talking about Jesus. The Son of God. The One who died on a cross as a blood sacrifice for all our sins, so that we have the chance to be reconciled and spend eternity in heaven. It also means, as I and many others can testify, that life is richer when you know Him. Is life always easy? Hardly. Sometimes it’s harder. But His followers are cared for, and anyone on Earth – no matter what our pasts include – can easily become one. Maybe most important, Christians (obviously) don’t become perfect or lead perfect lives. We all continue to do dumb things, but our hearts are turned toward trying to do good things. We are saved by nothing we do ourselves, only by God’s grace.
It's not always about money. Sometimes it's being comforted in a time of loss, having a network of caring people to fall back on, knowing there's a better life after we live this one to the fullest.
I don’t share my faith enough. It’s that lingering fear of being labeled, of people assuming things based on how other “believers” act. Some churches and religions are also guilty of tainting the message. Christianity has at times been distorted or used for political gain in ways that are unsavory and plain wrong, but that doesn’t change its core. Please be clear on this: Christianity in its pure form, unadulterated by manmade religion and attitudes, is all about love, inclusion and peace.
The Bible spells it out rather clearly what it’s all about, and if the stilted language bothers you there are many many versions that say the same thing in plainer English. If you choose to reject Jesus after studying the word, that is your absolute right. You also have the right to blind rejection, but I urge you to seek some truth first.
Knowledge is power, but it’s the knowledge that comes into a Christian’s heart where the transformation takes place. How can one not believe when the feelings are so real, and there are sometimes tangible ways in which God manifests His love?
Being a Christian won’t make you rich (beware of evangelists who want to sell you earthly wealth; it’s a spiritual thing). To me, it’s comforting to know God loves us and cares about us. And as for my needs being met? Yes and yes.
So, here I am. Not as bold as I should be, but willing to tell you how Jesus has changed my life. If you have any questions, I’m far from an expert, but I can tell you more about my experiences and possibly point you toward some answers.
Stay tuned for something frivolous and silly in my next post.
It gives us hope that things do turn out ok!! YAY
having faith is very important, also very personal. it is more meaninful (and effective) when you share it the way you did here, instead of the way certain evangelists shove it in people's faces.
and I agree with you that "Christianity in its pure form, unadulterated by manmade religion and attitudes, is all about love, inclusion and peace."
God bless!
"His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me."
Glad it's working out for you.
I understand your pain. With the 40% paycut I took for going in-house and the hefty mortgage payments, it was a tough 2006. But having calculated that my tax refund is enough to fund a small country's economy, I'm quite pleased with the way things have turned out.
Cheers to us!
I'm so happy for you. I knew it would work out. You should still totally sell some T-Bone coffee mugs and mouse pads.
Kids really make that big of a difference on the return? How big? Like "OMG" kinda big? I need to remind hubs of this.