Blessings.....

Jeremiah 29:11 tells me that the Lord my God knows the plans he has for me. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.

The exact passage is:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV- http://www.biblegateway.com/ )

This entire year...since late April '07, I have managed our family finances. It had been over 18 years since I had handled our family finances--prior to my marrying my 2nd husband. I was rusty, but had all the groundwork instilled in me my whole life.

First and foremost I handled it as I felt the Lord led me and trusted his provision. I claimed this verse so often and prayed it back to Him to the point I thought he was tiring of hearing me. We were in dire shape, financially. I was frantic and frightened. The calls were constant. We were behind on our home, 2nd mortgage, personal loans, car-(repo threats-I faced them)-but I held strong and faithful. We were behind on about every other bill we had except those that would have been shut off if not paid on time--electric, gas, insurance and that was about it. I faced a mountain and commanded it be moved on so many occasions-claiming scripture each step of this thorny path. I have rejoiced with each blessing, and as oft as I remembered to, with each blow. I am not the best at remembering to praise him in the hard times-though I have come very far! There were doctor bills that climbed out of the woodwork, credit card education--cause I def. learned how those babies jerk you around with their interest and extra charges for this, that and the other--when you pay a balance to put you below the over limit amount yet the next bill shows you are still over limit--EDUCATION-the hard way! I cried, I screamed, I prayed, I relied on His direction and even when I felt I messed up, He proved so faithful! I had friends who were faithful to pray with me and for me.

Tonight, I rejoice in yet another blessing and wanted to journal the moment. I can't tell you how many times God met me along the path with specific answers and provision. I am so proud and still humbled at the work He has done, not just with our finances, but also in me. What things have been revealed and hopefully many things healed. It has been so very tough, but rewarding.

At this point, I have an estimated amount paid off completely of $9116 just since taking over the budget. Also, as of Nov. '07 every bill is completely caught up and a few are ahead by a bit. I have to add here that I went to make a couple of payments in January only to find they were not due until February because at some point, I had gotten ahead!! When and how did that happen? I have no clue, but I verified it and it is true! I also have managed to save a bit for emergency--

What can I say about how I tackled it other than with prayer and dependance? I tithed faithfully-every week. Even when my husband gave me grief. Even when the enemy planted doubt in my mind. Even when it seemed I wasn't going to have enough to pay the rest of the weekly bills after my tithe. Even when writing out that check seemed wrong and my flesh was screaming out. I did it. He made it worth every bit and returned such blessings.

BLESSINGS....today the blessings continued. My father came to my work--which alone is a miracle-he has not been to the town where I live in 8 years..he stays home, in fact, due to his health. He surprised me today and took me to lunch. He handed me a check for a substantial amount..again, a miracle. If anyone knows him, they KNOW that is a miracle because my daddy is tight as a tick with his money and he never just 'gives' money away. It was surreal. Very surreal. Kind of scary, too! His motive was equally as strange. He just said that he felt that since he had loaned my brother the same amount, that he should cancel the debt for him and give me and my sister the same amount. Why? I have no idea. Can't explain it at all. I just know this: It is a GOD thing. I have no doubt, no doubt at all.

PS...it was a substantial amount. This doesn't mean it pays off all of my debt or even half. But it is enough. More than enough. I expected nothing. Nothing at all.


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)