8:00AM. Saturday. My sister has left for her pharmacy. The husbands (hers and mine) are still asleep. I'm gradually beginning to feel the effects of my Folgers, pushing little dogs away from my lap, and listening to reindeer on the roof. There must be a opossum in the attic, or a massive owl, or possibly a homeless man.
...
So, now is when I can't hold it in any more and I will share a little of our simple, journey-filled lives. Yesterday I stopped in the grocery store in this little town for "just a few" things and ended up running into three ladies I hadn't seen in years. Almost an hour and $60.00 later I made it out of there. One of these women is an family friend of 25+ years, and she asked me all the difficult questions, "Are you planning on having kids?", "What sort of job are you looking for?".... "You're not going to quit writing are you?!" No I'm not going to quit writing. And with ample time in my life right now, I'm not sure why I've been avoiding it.
Except that nothing has really happened. I say that, and to me I look at my situation (no job, no car, no home of my own...) and yeah, nothing has tangibly, physically, situationally changed. However, we have had some remarkable, life altering, God-given experiences. Divine appointments. God's timing. Not coincidence or luck, but things that can only be accredited to the One who has my days planned.
Through no doings of my own, my name was given to someone who needed a freelance writer for a small, East Texas publication. A little money (not much, Journalist do not make money...), a couple pieces in the January and February edition, I am writing. This led to a little traveling and interviews and meeting people in East Texas, we have been offered a farming opportunity. And a small farm house. Offered. We are still figuring out how this could fit into our world, and again, what we'd do to make money.
I continue to apply for jobs online in Athens and Tyler and a couple small towns in-between. Mostly for positions with titles like, Administrative Assistant II, Guest Relations Coordinator, Marketing Assistant, Receptionist, and Office Assistant. I am overqualified for most of these jobs. But, it is what I have done for the past five years. If it was in the field I wanted and the pay was decent I wouldn't mind it so much. I AM only applying for jobs that I'd take. None of this taking a job that I don't really want, so that I can keep looking for another job. No thank you. I am blessed to have a little bit more time.
Saying this, I do like being in a support staff role, as long as I am not micromanaged or belittled. I do like the non-profit sector, working on my writing from time to time--- you know jobs that do not pay and do not require a Masters degree in Public Relations.
Chris has spoken with several churches, in search of a youth minister position. We had an interview this past week with a committee at a local church. That's where his heart is: ministering to students- on staff at a church or not- and farming.
You can see that becoming wealthy is not our goal. And while that is fine (really it is) with me, I just hope God knows how much gas costs these days. And things like health insurance and contact solution and organic milk ($5.99 a HALF gallon...!!!).
THREE times in the last 48 hours God has put 1 Timothy 6:6 in-front of us.
BUT godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall inot temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Tim. 6:6-10
Paul isn't saying having money and wealth means you are not walking with God, he's just warning of the trap that money can be. He goes on to say in verses 17-19, "hey, if you have money don't put your trust in it, share what you have, and store up treasures in heaven." It's wood, hay and stubble. Your stuff will all burn one day.
For us, for now, God is saying be content. Be happy. We have food, water, shelter & God. All is not lost. God has not forgotten us. He has a place for us, he knows the desires of our heart. And really, we are so very, very rich. Sometimes (like at Christmastime) I just want what it seems like everyone else has. More stuff. A nice car, a leather coat, a gym membership.
More than anything though, I want a routine. I think that I probably don't listen as well in the midst of my routine, however. God has more time and space and can shake me around a little easier during these silent mornings. During hours of alone time when searching for jobs and jeans online becomes overwhelming and depressing.
I will leave you with the words of Keith Boyd, our pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, which he gave us about two years ago when he did a sermon on 1 Tim. 6. He challenged us to memorize this, so I wrote it in the back of my Bible and have, indeed, put it to memory:
God has given me more than I need.
I'm rich.
Therefore, I will not put my trust in my riches,
but in the One who so richly provides.
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