God has challenged me to write about how He will supernaturally pay off our mortgage in 5 years. I am a homemaker, my husband is a teacher, and we have three children. Our mortgage balance at the start of this blog is $97,802.62 with a projected payoff date of May 11, 2035.

Sounds foolish, huh? The Bible says that, "...God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;..." So I am choosing to be foolish and trust Him. He's never let me down before.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

About Face

Last week our middle son Hunter went away to boy scout camp.  He was gone for six days.  Six days of independence for an almost eleven-year old--yikes!  Needless to say, he was excited about being away with the older boys and the scout leaders.

We went up to visit him the evening before the last day of camp for "Family Night".  It was a rainy day and all of the scouts were gathered under a pavilion outside of the dining hall.  I anxiously scanned through all of the faces in uniform trying to make out my son so that I could hug him.  I hadn't realized until that moment how much I missed having him home.  My eyes finally landed on his face, he was chatting it up with the other boys, ball cap turned backwards.  He hadn't seen us yet.

After a couple of minutes, he looks over at me, then looks at Ross.  Immediately he turns his baseball cap forward, and comes over to greet us.  Once we reunited I realized the impact that his dad, my husband, has on him.  He knows that Dad does not allow him and his brother to wear their caps backwards.  It's just how he rolls.  As a teacher and coach he knows that impressions are important.  So to see Hunter do an about face when Dad rolled on the scene was pretty cool.  It demonstrated his submission to Ross's authority over the independence that he was enjoying away from home.  In other words, 'Scout camp is over and boot camp is about to begin!'

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Put Your Money Where Your Faith Is

Recently a friend of mine was sharing with me about some of the changes she has been making to get her finances in order.  I talked with her about tithing and how it demonstrates to God that we have faith in Him to provide for us.  This was the challenge I put before her--begin tithing off of any extra money that you take in (overtime, gifts, etc.)  I wanted her to begin the practice of tithing and put her faith to the test.

She began doing this and felt good about doing it.  But she didn't stop there.  Just this week we talked and she let me know that for the first time ever she tithed off of her income as well.  She said that it felt scary giving such a big amount, but it also felt wonderful because she was doing what God wanted her to do.

That about sums up having faith in God.  It does feel scary to do something that our nature doesn't feel right about.  But the spirit of God inside of us is yearning to do His will.  So when we do it, it's like there's this big sigh of relief that everything is going to be okay.  I am so proud of my friend.  For the longest time her heart's desire has been to move out of her mom's house and have a place of her own for her and her little boy.  The Bible tells of so many stories where God provided for people because of their faith in Him.  I believe that my friend will be able to join the saints with her own testimony of God's provision in no time.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Out of Sorts

Summer time has been a great time for us to reconnect as a family.  However, it has been a struggle for me in regards to my individual routine.  Because everyone is home at the same time, I have neglected my morning disciplines of exercise and time alone with God.

Just this week I have been recharged by getting back into the routine of how I do things during the school year.  Doing this has left me feeling refreshed and has decreased the anxieties that were beginning to build up. 

Have you ever thought you were hungry, but really you were thirsty?  You try and try to find just the right food to satisfy your need, but nothing seems to fit the bill because water is what you need.  In the same way, when I am away from my routine, I try and find satisfaction in other areas.  I do things around my home, spend time with the kids, watch a movie with Ross, or listen to music.  But I still feel out of sorts because I am thirsty--thirsty for God's presence.  Everything else is filler, it doesn't last long nor does it quench my true need.

I have been reading the book of Isaiah.  It recounts how God's people have repeatedly hungered after other gods instead of quenching their thirst with the Living God.  The book reveals that although punishment will be a consequence, so will grace.  God will love His people still and protect them from harm.  I am in awe that I can shirk my responsibilities to the Creator of this world, and yet He obligates Himself to fulfill His promises to me.  This truly is amazing grace.