We knew how slow...slow...sloooow (as "Cat In The Hat" would say) it takes to build up our savings with the job God has called Jeremy to live out. So we thought this to be smart. Until I called our Edward Jones guy who is a fan of Dave Ramsey. Grr.
After a half hour conversation, we came to the realization that if putting our Christmas money, cashing out our credit card points (in which we built up when Jer ran his own business for the purpose of a plane ticket), AND draining our one savings account (also saved up for a trip).... we could be (drum roll please)...dut du duuuhh!...... debt free by April.
So in about 5 days we are kissing Cancun good-bye and writing a stupid check to my college loan, sealed with a curse and a prayer that maybe, just maybe, God will allow a miracle to happen. We kind of feel like that newlyweed couple on the movie "Up" who dreams about a trip together and tries to save up the money jar, only to shatter it over and over for stupid bills. :) We've had that jar for years and God never fails to surprise us with His plans for it instead. I'm sure you know the feeling.
I felt really terrible at the Christmas gathering when people all around us were opening up gifts left and right, and Jer didn't open a single gift. He said it didn't bother him. But it bothered me. He works so hard for this family and has already given up his hobbies and sold his toys - his duck boat, decoys, and quad just to name a few - so we could pay bills - so that I could stay home and raise our kids. He deserved to be lavished this Christmas. And instead, this money was going toward debt. Debt for my college degree. A degree that I'm not even using. Woop De Doo. But on the way home I looked at him said, "Well, like Ramsey says. Live like no one else today and we'll live like no one else later, right?"
My devotions lately has been from Luke 18. The Rich Ruler.
He came into contact with Jesus and asked Him how He could get to Heaven. Christ (with a point to make) listed all of these rules to follow. The man said, "I have obeyed these rules since I was a child." Jesus said, "All right. What about your money? Your toys? Your comfort? Sell that and you'll get in."
The man couldn't do it. He walked away choosing his wealth, but grieving over the choice.
So then Jesus says to the people who watched the moment, "You know, it's easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for anyone to get to heaven." They ask, "well how the heck are we supposed to make it then?!" Jesus responds, "With God all things are possible."
What He was so mysteriously saying was, "You can be as wonderful and good as you think you are, but you're not getting in. Face it. Heaven is perfect. You're not. Sorry." So, that's why He gave us Easter.
So it's fixed, right? We all get in? Nope.
Just like the rich young ruler, if you want to take on His free gift of life happily ever after, it comes with a cost. For the longest time I thought that if you just "pray the prayer" with someone to "ask Jesus into their heart" you're in. Maybe, but I will never ever again talk to anyone about heaven or even raise my kids to believe that until they first understand Luke 14:25.
Jesus Himself is saying, "Um. O.k. Do you build a house without first getting an estimate? yeah, nope. Do the same with me. Don't ask to get into my family without first understanding what that means."
It means - being willing to surrender everything and pick up your own personal cross to follow Him. It means understanding that if you're going to take on this life as a so called "Christian" then you are signing over your rights.
Your right to happiness (he's more concerned about holiness).
Your right to run your own agenda and your plans.
Your right to your money.
Your right to do the things you want to do.
Your right to be treated the way you think you should be treated.
Doesn't sound very fun, does it? OH IT IS! There is nothing greater than living a life, knowing I've got a Good Boss who knows what's going on and can see things I can not see (versus a greedy crappy boss who thinks he knows but really doesn't). A perfect Boss who can't screw up is telling me what to do with my time, my money, my character, my stuff... because the truth is, it's not even mine anyway. It's His.
When I start living and acting that way, I have found that in the end I am much less stressed out. He does a much better job with His angenda, His money and His people then I could ever do. I fail to realize this a lot.
So, this Christmas He called Jer and I to spend His money paying off debt. Boring...but good. And we trust He sees something for our 10 year anniversary on June 21, 2013 that we just can't see. Whatever it is, I'm certain it's great!
So with this New Year, I challenge you to to count the cost and give it all up. It's worth it. I promise... and it's anything BUT boring.
Happy New Year!
It all worked out in the end. :)
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