Caught Off Balance

I was sitting at my front door last night with my [fifty pound] dog in my lap, waiting for Shawn to show up. She perked her head up and slanted it sideways watching something. I figured she saw a squirrel or someone walking their dog, but when I looked I saw nothing. I watched her ears perk up and her eyebrows shift together, and I tried to trace the path to where her eyes were gazing. I finally noticed that she was watching a bird that had recently landed on a tree limb in my front yard. I was watching this bird, too, and saw that it looked like it was not moving, however the flimsy branch was wobbling up and down. I realized then that it was using it's neck, bending it every which way, to keep it's head straight and sturdy so it would not lose it's balance. At this sight, I had an epiphany. So many of us are taught to think with our heads and be logical, but what if we thought with our necks? What if we concentrated more on the direction of our necks and not so much on our brains? Would we not be more careful and focused? Our neck is the exact part of our anatomy that ensures we do not lose our balance... along with our cerebellum. But maybe, just maybe, we should rely more on our necks to keep us in line and less on our brain.

Everything Happens For A Reason

Something I just read in Daddy Darrell's blog reminded me to write this down: everything happens for a reason on God's terms. Shawn got a call today; Daniel's cousin overdosed and died. Shawn's heart was yearning to counsel his friend and he was anxiously thumbing through his Bible for scripture. Shawn called me for guidance and I told him to pull out a book I bought him when we found out his dad's cancer could be back titled "How Could A Loving God?". It's all about death and biblical versus that assist in consoling those who may be grieving a loss or a future loss. I feel the need to explain why I truly believe that God will take you when he needs to, wants to, and will use you as an example to other's. I had an older guy friend named Brendon when I was in high school whom I knew through his older brother, Doug. We hung out all the time and he was a super nice guy with a nasty drug habit. We lost touch, he completely disappeared, and I found out why when I ran into Doug one day when I was home from ASU on a break. Brendon went to rehab in Florida to straighten his life out. He gathered the strength to pick up and move from everything and everyone he knew in order to conquer his disease, and he did!! But, shortly after he became sober he was killed by a drunk driver, ironically, while walking home from work. From that day forward I knew exactly why it happened. God wanted to take His child before the Devil could try to take him over again. I grasped a completely different concept that day, one that changed my outlook on things completely. So, when we lose someone close to us there is always a reason behind it. God knows the day you're going to die before you are born, as Shawn put it, and so that has to stand for something.

Be Content With What You Have

I learned a great lesson Sunday morning in Sunday school. While Becky was out speaking at the Women's Retreat, Nathan took over our class. Although we have been researching Philippians for the past 3 weeks, the final chapter (4) was what hit me in the noggin'; I have goosebumps right now simply typing about it.

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings 21Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen

Shawn and I signed a contract on Monday for our new home, and today we signed the contract for the loan. This is a huge deal and a huge financial responsibility. To say the least, we are scared silly. But, the hearing those versus really opened my eyes and I felt a strong need to read them to Shawn last night, and I did. I realized that there is not a doubt in my mind that Shawn and I can not only pay the mortgage and our bills, and still have money left over for savings. The only reason we were frightened was because we have become so complacent in our comfort zones. We have never been married, so we did not know how much being married would cost. Today we found out how much our car insurance would increase, not to mention health insurance. For so long I have been riding under my parents wings and Shawn has been lucky to have an apartment that only costs $250/month!

Getting our financial statements ready for the mortgage lender, Tonda, and discussing our monthly salaries I was shocked! If the only bill I have to pay is my car insurance, then where did the rest of my paychecks go?! I want to throw up thinking of my lack of savings! Shawn and I have plenty in our account, however we could have so much more! Just looking at our most recent bank statements, 90 percent of our debits were to fast food restaurants! What a waste!

So many of us have become so consumed in our worldly ways, by worldly things, that we forget to be content in what we already have. We yearn for more and, when we receive it, it isn't good enough! We always want more! Why can't we look at what we already have our possession and want it as bad as we want newer, shinier things? I want nice furniture for my living room to impress company, instead of our used "hand-me-down" blue couch and non-matching brown recliner. But, they are still fabulous and usable! So, I realize that I don't NEED a new living room suit! I have plenty, thanks to God, and that's what I need to remind myself. Anytime I want a new pair of shoes or wish I could go get a pedicure, I will remind myself that I have all I need right inside my home. I have the love of a wonderful man, a roof over my head, and I'm breathing! What more could I need?