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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Money Talk

I had a different post in mind today but then something happened that I wanted to share. I had a Dr's appointment today and when I arrived I was informed that my appointment had been canceled and they tried to reschedule but didn't have a phone number on file for me (odd since I've been a patient for three years). With the canceled appointment, I had some spare time on my hands before I was due at a friend's house to watch her kiddos. I decided to hit the gas station and run a few errands I had been planning to do this evening.

I pulled into the gas station and flipped open the compartment under the CD player (which is where the in-car lighter is) to get my bonus points card out. And much to my surprise, I found a $20 bill in there!

Ain't nothin' better than finding money when and where you least expect it ... even though it was in my car, meaning that it was likely originally my (lost) money. Meh, who cares where it came from ... I felt as though Christmas came early this year!

But then, after leaving the grocery store and pondering the mystery money, I realized that Christmas had not come early this year, but that there was a little more to this story. Money management/stress is one of my biggest struggles. I am a worry wort, a planner and a control freak and have often let financial issues get the best of me.

Today I am reminded of the need to have more faith in God's provision in my life. I am such an organizer and planner that I feel the need to control every ounce of our spending. And while I do strongly believe that budgeting is important and necessary, there does come a point when my budgeting gets the best of me and I begin to question God. Will there be enough for groceries this month? Are we saving enough to achieve our goals? How will we afford the car repair?

Admist those questions, I know that in any and every financial situation we've faced, God has provided for us. In fact, daily, He provides more than enough. As an example, I've recently been trying out a cash budgeting system. I'm doing a trial run to see how it goes. Earlier this week when we went grocery shopping, I was carrying with me the very last of our July grocery money. I am usually pretty good at keeping a running cart total in my head but at some point during our trip, I lost track. When we got to the check out, I put my items on the conveyor belt in the order of importance so I could watch the total and put a few things back if necessary. When the cashier was finished ringing through all of my items, I was literally left with ONE penny to spare. Coincidence? I think not.

I believe that this $20 bill and exactly perfect grocery store total can be seen as reminders of whose money it really is and who is in control.

14 comments:

d.a.r. said...

We do cash, and I absolutely love it. It makes us both so accountable for our spending and for setting priorities (cute stuff at Tarjay or going to the grocery store this week....). We've saved so much and are just much more mindful of our spending.

It's amazing, the more I feel like we just can't do it...God steps in and the bills are paid and there is money going into our savings. He is so good!

I'm going to ruin it all next week shopping though :) Hehe!

Tricia said...

Hi Lucy.
This was a great post, and reminder of how sometimes we have to let go a little bit and just trust.
God provides, if we believe and if we let him. Jason and I have always felt the same way. No matter how scary the situation seemed, God has always provided our answer. ALWAYS.
Have a wonderful week, and thanks again for following us and joining in. I am so pleased to have met you.
XOXO
*Tricia

Tereasa said...

Great post, girl!

Penny said...

EXACTLY!!! My husband and I are dealing a lot with this recently, but we're learning that God ALWAYS provides.

SnoWhite said...

thanks for the reminder that God always provides.

I'm sure you've probably heard of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University... but I highly recommend it -- it's changed our focus on money.

Courtney said...

Thank you so much for posting this. It was a great reminder. I hate when I feel myself starting to worry about finances too. But we are so blessed to have a God that looks out for our every need!

Brittany Ann said...

I totally relate to this. Every time I stress about it, I try to take a breath and say a prayer. Because God provides with his means in his time. If it was only so easy to calm my nerves...I admit I totally still struggle with it.

Unknown said...

I do agree with you. I actually found $20 in my robe pocket this Monday. I told my husband that the Heavenly Father is always watching out for us.
Great timing because Toby needed his bandage changed.

Anonymous said...

aww love this post! I am tracking everything I spend this month & going to try to put myself on a budget next month. I definitely need to work on not spending especially because God will provide my every need & I know that & trust that!

Lucky in Love said...

Great post!

Oh the budget. I try and try to put us on a budget...but all Matt does is collect receipts and I sometimes put them in the computer. We never really figure out what we want to spend our money on and how much of it we are spending places. Oh it irks me....and always causes tension. I think that's why I have let it go for so long.

Annie said...

great post hun...i'm constantly worrying about finances as well. i do feel very blessed for everything i have.

Jessica McCoy said...

I have had the same experience you have had at the grocery store as well. Sometimes I get so worried about how we are gonna pay bills, feed us, and feed the animals but when I look back I see that we have always had PLENTY and haven't missed one bill or gone hungry yet.

I need to remember to keep that faith!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Amen girl. God is so in control and has us right in the palm of his hand.

Summer Athena said...

you are the best!!! yup. that is all i want to say. lol.