The New Math

During this time when we should be saving every penny that we can get our hands on, God has been "doing a new thing."  Isaiah 43:18,19

When we were getting out of consumer debt, we were very purposeful and did not give to most causes that came about--even though they were good causes.  Instead, we stayed laser-focused on our goal and tried not to veer from the plan of action we had formulated.

This time around is different.  In spite of now living on one income, God is leading us to give in all types of situations.  For example, my husband is a teacher and one of his students hasn't been doing his homework.  He found out that the student had lost his calculator.  Without a thought, my husband picked up a new calculator for him at Target and that was that. 

We were not this laid back about giving the first time around.  It's as though God has put into us a peace in knowing that truthfully, He was the one who paid off our debt, not us.  So if He paid off our debt, He will also pay off our home using His money His way.  Giving to receive--definitely the new math.    

Good Hair Day

On Monday my daughter got her hair done for school pictures at our stylist's salon.  We came out to the parking lot to get into our car and a man had just started up his car parked next to us.  As my daughter opened her door to get into the back seat, I heard a dull "thud".  Immediately, I knew exactly what she had done--she had hit the guy's car next to us with her door. 

I told her what had just happened and she said, "I did?  Really?" 

As she was talking to me I looked through my window at the man next to us who was looking back at me with disgust all over his face.  'Oh, great,'  I thought.  'He does not look happy at all.' 

I tell my daughter that she needs to say sorry.  She opens her car door (very gingerly this time) and says, "Sorry" out the crack in the door.  As she's apologizing, I'm apologizing through the window at the same time. 

In that moment, the look on the man's face totally changes.  He sheepishly smiles, holds up a hand and says, "That's okay, that's okay." 

I was so very thankful for God's grace right then and there.  In this day and age when everybody is suing anybody for everything, we were protected.  No need to exchange insurance cards or phone numbers, just "Sorry" and "That's okay".

God's word is true when it says "A gentle answer turns, away wrath,..." Proverbs 15:1a

Umbrella Faith

Today God gave me a simple illustration of how He provides.

As the boys were by the door getting ready for school this morning, I told them that we would drive the car to the bus stop since it was raining.  They opened the door and upon seeing that it wasn't raining hard insisted that we walk to the bus stop instead of driving.  I gave in and we all put up our hoods and walked to the bus stop.

It was kind of chilly with the water falling onto our clothes and much to my dismay the rain was coming down harder than it had been earlier.  The boys didn't notice this as they worked hard at finding any and every possible way to get even more wet!  As I stood there I thought, "I've got to buy another umbrella."  We have two but when it rains my daughter takes one to her bus stop and then one usually ends up in whichever vehicle my husband takes to work.  The moment that I realize I need one is always when I am about to step out of the house to go to the bus stop with the boys--in the rain.

As my youngest son and I are waiting for his bus to come, I see my neighbor and his dog coming up the street.  I enviously eye his humongous umbrella with the glaring bank logo on it as he makes his way towards us.  I'm cold and wet.  Where is that bus?

My neighbor approaches and says hello.  As he does this, he extends to me what he is holding in his hand--an extra umbrella!

"Now you know," he says, "a Black woman and her hair.  That little hoodie ain't enough for you to be covered up right."

I had to laugh.  I thankfully accepted the umbrella from him.

My son's bus came and left.  My neighbor was still close by with his dog so I tried to give the umbrella back to him before I went inside.  He refused. 

Coming into the house I had to smile.  God provided the umbrella I needed...and I already had a hair appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning :-)