2014 Blessings

What I've learned in 2014

This is a picture of Dave Ramsey.  I'm sure if you know us you have heard remotely what this program has done for our family, our marriage, and our lives.  This depicts pretty closely how we felt starting out 2014, but surely not how we are ending it. 

1.  God is Holy.  He deserves to be honored and praised.  He's done so much for me.  I can praise Him in song and dancing with my children and singing to the top of my lungs.  It's ok to take a break and praise the Lord.  Let's be set apart.  Take moments, words, and actions to be set apart in this world we live in.

2.  God's the Protector.  Brian had an accident and He was with Him every step of the way.  My mom has been healed and touched by his mighty hand physically this year.  

3.  God's the Redeemer.  He is the Redeemer for you and me and all who call on Him.  I am not ashamed of this fact.  He's forgiven me for all of my sins.  I can't say it again or enough.  My son, Dillon feels the urgency to tell everyone the truth now.  He feels the truth of salvation and its importance is so real and for everyone that it pains him that all don't know it.  He has redeemed Him and He is proud of that fact as well.  I had a conversation with Hannah recently over the fact of Jackson told someone Santa didn't come to our house because he was probably too tired.  I don't ever want my children to ruin your traditions in your family, but I don't want mine to lie as well.  This was my answer to her.  She didn't want Jackson to ruin it for this little boy in his family or to lie in any way as well.  I said, to be honest, Jesus did too much for me, you, Dillon, Jackson, and everyone else on Calvary.   He died and is the only living sacrifice today.  Sorry for them in that moment, but I won't stand for lies from my children when it comes to overcome a lie someone tells to their child.  Jesus paid too big a price for me.  He's the one that knows when we are sleeping and awake, when we're bad or good.  He's the one we ask forgiveness from.  He's eternal.  No one is good enough or bad enough for presents.  Jesus gives life eternal and that's it.  They will find out sooner or later anyway.  The truth always comes out.  It will be ok.  He may not give fancy presents wrapped or unwrapped underneath a tree, but He did give the gift that means life eternal.  For that I'm not sorry.  So, don't worry about Santa answers or not Santa answers for now, the Easter bunny or the tooth fairy.  It's ok.  Jesus is the only one you have to worry about and focus on, little one.  Don't let your heart be troubled.    Just always focus on the truth and you'll be ok.

4.  God's the Sustainer.  Just when you think you have enough on your plate of things to do, He can and will give you more and bless you with those jobs.  They can range from homeschooling all of your children in a last minute decision, making goodies with your kids for neighbors, becoming a children's leader in BSF, coaching cheer leading for your daughter,   helping with the Cubbies group at church, pushing your children on a swing, watching each child swim in the deep end for the first time together, take a nap with all of them in the bed together, etc. This year has been filled with lots of new exciting adventures, and God deserves the praise for each one of them!

5.  God's the Forgiver.  Time and time again this year I've wanted to look back at the past and see the sins for what they were.  But I truly haven't trusted that God's forgiven me.  I haven't trusted myself that I've learned from them and moved on from them.  But He's shown me His grace and mercy time and time again this year and moved me right along nudging me to move towards forgiving myself and healing.

6.  God's Jealous.  He wants me and all of me.  He's given me everything, and He deserves that in return.  He deserves my time, my talents, my money, etc.  all of ME.  He wants me in a true marriage relationship with Him.

7.  God's Gracious.  On days I feel like I can't, He does.  The kids forgive me.  Brian forgives me.  Things get done.  Life goes on.  Pajama days are ok.  He covers me and guides me every step of the way.  Clothes may still be in the bin, but they are washed and dried.  There is something edible to eat in here somewhere, I promise.  Look past the dust and know everyone is loved on.

8.  God's a Giver.  He's given us a sweet baby niece, Caroline this year.  She is one of the cutest, sweetest things you've ever, ever seen.  You really could just eat her.  Her cheeks and legs and lips they are the best.  Her hair.  Her eyes.  She's healthy and happy.  Even when she cries she's the sweetest little thing.  She's growing up way too quickly.  I just can't believe it!  My kids just love her and want to hold her and pray for her (and the rest of our family) each night.  We are so thankful for her added into our family this year.  God's blessings abound with this one!  

9.  God's the Creator.  I look around me and see all that He has created around me from the outside to my children, to me and Brian and I'm completely amazed...in awe!  To hear Hannah read and skip count math facts, Jackson ride a bike without training wheels and go down the slide at the pool, Dillon jumping with confidence 100 times on a pogo stick and have a rather big part in a play this year, the trees leaves turn and fall, the grass grow, flowers bloom, the wind in your face, the moon and stars, the sun, butterflies, geese, deer, seeing the kids all be able to swim the full length of the pool, etc.  He did all of this.  What an amazing God we serve!

10.  God's the Provider.  In March of 2014 we didn't really want to spend 80 on a kit for Financial Peace University with good ol' Dave Ramsey at church.  We didn't want to/have the "extra" at the time and didn't really think it would help us.  On paper, at the time, I should be going back to work and we should just put the kids all in public school to pay off all of the debt we were in: ranging from medical expenses, 14 credit cards, 2 cars, a 4 wheeler, an equity line, and a house.  Well, we dove into the Dave plan and said let's go with this little nudge (Holy Spirit) and we fell and fell hard.  I can tell you God has more than blessed us and allowed us to pay off the 4 wheeler, both cars, all but one credit card as of today, and all medical expenses to date.  I can tell you that it's all been God.  It's not me.  It's not Brian.  He's pulled our marriage together tighter.  He's pulled our family closer.  We've had to become a team to run with this tight plan to pay off this debt with the same focus.  It's not because we've won the lottery.  It's not due to someone giving us anything, except for the Lord and following His plan with His money.  He will truly bless you when you give Him what's His and use His money the way He wants you to use it.  That's the only explanation I can give you.  On paper, it doesn't make sense.  Today, I cried talking to Brian, because I feel more than ever we finally are having financial peace.  But it's a peace and contentment and a true joy that only God can bring.  It's moved beyond money in our house.  It's finding that in all things it's in the eternal things and not in the now things.  Oh, how I feel His presence and peace like never before.

It's amazing to look back financially this year and see just how unreal things look to an outsider and to be honest to even us.  Yes,God in 2014, makes miracles happen right before our eyes.  Just how perfect to the money amount things God has lined up to pay things off right before our eyes in ways we would have never imagined.  How God has allowed us to teach our children the difference about money and having chores and spending, saving, and giving.  Brian and I don't argue over money, don't have to discuss where the money has gone, because we tell it where to go now, and we have control over the budget.  We give God the glory in 2014 in showing us where to put His money and seeing that it's so much more than being financially free.

Our chains are not all of the way gone, but we are being set free.  Our God and Savior is showing us and guiding us every step of the way out of this debt that we are/were living in.  We are gazelle mode together and working as a family and husband and wife should be to work together to get this done.  We are going to move on to the next baby step soon enough.  I can't wait to scream...We're debt free!!  

God has been all of these things to me and more this year.  He's growing me and molding me.  I'm God's girl and He's teaching me more and more each day.  May I grow to be more like Him even more in 2015.