What is your Gauge?

The Holidays are JUST around the corner, and I have begun stressing. We have Halloween, my 21st birthday, the Marine Corp Ball, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Kazleigh's 2nd Birthday coming up in the next 4 months. Although I am thrilled for all of these fun events, I am naturally trying to plan ahead financially as well. As a lower-enlisted military family, we don't have a plethora of extra money (which is one of many reasons why military members-and their families- are performing a great service).

 I have been crunching numbers, cutting down on monthly expenses, and trying to fit the puzzle pieces together. Our first cut back was our smart phones. Although it was hard to say goodbye to the convenience of mobile banking, Facebook mobile, GPS, and the ability to google anything anytime, anywhere, I am pleased to announce that it has been a rather fantastic change. We are ridding ourselves of distractions and unnecessary expenses. I prayed for guidance in this situation, and the Lord delivered (of course).

On our way to church on Sunday I was talking to Bobby about our new budget and contemplating what else we could possibly cut back on. I felt as if there was something God put on my heart regarding our finances, but I just couldn't figure out what it was. I was missing something big and desperate to understand. During the sermon the Lord spoke right to my heart and convicted me in many ways. On the car ride home Bobby and I talked about our numerous blessings. For example, we could be living off of eggs, potatoes, and water, and God would be providing. We are blessed with luxuries of buying fajita meat, cheese, milk, fruits and veggies, and sometimes even steak at the grocery store each month. Maybe we can't afford the biggest and the best, but we are taken care of. This is when my gauge shifted. We have health coverage, a great little 3 bedroom town home that fits us perfectly, food on the table, healthy earthly bodies, and love in our hearts. Why must we always be focused on "more, more more?"

I am so thankful to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. I am thankful to have an extremely loving, Godly husband who encourages me every single day, to have the smartest, most beautiful little toddler that we have ever laid eyes on, and a tiny, sweet baby waiting for us in heaven. God has provided us with more than I could ever imagine, and I am eternally grateful. I am also thankful to be lovingly reminded by God that although we aren't outrageously wealthy, we are taken care of. Stressing to fit each financial piece together on your own, is pointless. Relying on God, in all aspects of your life, all of the time, is essential.

Luke 21:1-4
¹ As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”