Unexpected Expense

"One day," I always say. "One day I'll learn how to manage my money better!"

These words typically follow a financial blunder on my part; an instance in which I thought I was doing good and then swiftly realized that my account balance didn't add up correctly. Darnit. I blame the automatic withdraw for all my problems. :-)

At the beginning of this year, I went through a 13-week course on financial peace that was offered by Dave Ramsey and hosted by my church. I learned so much and made good progress. No more credit card debt, I think that's worth celebrating! But I still struggle. I can complain that it's because I don't make enough money or because something "always comes up," but the truth is that I should plan my life and finances according to what I make and with a plan for the unexpected expenses (which, if you think about it, aren't that unexpected...Christmas comes at the same time every year you know).

This morning, as I was once again lamented an upcoming expense that was "unexpected," I began to think about Christ. The Bible speaks about Christ's sacrifice as the payment for our sins. That He canceled our debt. That He paid the ultimate expense. I sat here just overwhelmed with these thoughts... I mean, how can I complain about my monetary expenses that are not significant in light of eternity (except that how I handle them should honor God) when my mindset should really be focused on things above.

God didn't have an unexpected expense when He lost His Son to death for our sins. God the Father and God the Son knew the high cost of this act. It was planned for all of time, every aspect of our human condition, of history, and of our future was taken into account. And when the moment came to make the payment, He didn't waver. There was no going back, no searching for additional funds, no credit, no remaining balance. He paid it all.

In light of this, my life should change. My daily actions should reflect my heart's condition - which is debt free because of Christ! So the next time I feel that life is asking too much, more than I can afford to give, I pray that my Spirit remembers first that my life is not my own and all I have to give is all I need to give for God's glory every day.

Ephesians 5:19b-20, NIV

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I'm sitting in the kitchen of my unusually quiet house and listening to my favorite Christian music and reading the Bible. I'm not sure that I could exactly define what Paul meant when he said to "make music in your heart to the Lord," but I think it must be something like what my heart is doing right now.

Galations 6:1-3, The Message

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

I have a sore back most mornings. It's the result of a strained muscle in 2006 (note: don't go jump on a bed to scare a friend and then fall on the floor, it hurts!). Because this stiffness prevents me from moving about my daily routine in comfort, I find myself going through significant effort to avoid moving in a way that I know will hurt. I look ridiculous, and whatever I'm doing usually takes twice as long, but I succeed in avoiding the pain.

These verses says "stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed." When I read this, I realized that I'm incredibly selfish and self-protective. My habit of exerting more time and effort to avoid discomfort has overlapped into my spiritual life. Too often I am unwilling to go out of my way to assist another believer or someone I see in need. I let my comfort and schedule dictate whether or not I will show grace and mercy as God commands. This is shockingly similar to the appalling behavior of the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan.

I've never wanted to be in the place where I ask those in my life to show me grace and mercy, but are unwilling to bend down and offer it myself. As much as it might hurt or be inconvenient, I need to follow Christ's example and share their burdens. I'm deceiving myself to think that I can accept it and not have to give it in return.

So I'm going to continue to take care of strengthening my back muscles and building up strength while also practicing the spiritual discipline of overcoming the desire to walk past those who are oppressed and need grace and mercy.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

If my life were a book

In the few moments of quiet that I've had in the last couple weeks, I find myself coming up with chapter titles to the book of my life. It might seem silly, but I literally drive from one thing to the next and think to myself: "When I write my memoir, this chapter will be called ____." I amuse myself too much sometimes. Anyway -

Maybe one day I will have the time to add words underneath these titles. But in the meantime, here are a few for your entertainment:

Cooking for One

Red-faced and Running

Cubicle Blues

Left Behind

Don't Tell Me: To Say No
Don't Tell Me: That I Can't Do It
Don't Tell Me: You Understand
Don't Tell Me: To Wait
Don't Tell Me: Anything
God is Annoying Me
I've Got Peace Like a Volcano
I wish I was an Ostrich
Pride is Here, just waiting for the Fall
It's all Eve's Fault
Unread Books
Just Me and .
Star of the Freak Show
Rock and Roller Coasters

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I spent a long time yesterday reading through scripture, trying to find a verse that would bring comfort to a grieving friend. I wanted something that would tell my friend everything that I was at a loss to say in my own words. Discouraged at not being able to find the "right thing," I closed the bible and moved on to a different thought.

Then, later last night, I read a blog about suffering. In that blog was the verse that I didn't realize I needed, Hebrews 13:8. It may not have been able to provide the words that will give all the answers or help anything make sense, but these words are true and just as applicable.

Thank you Lord for being our consistent Savior. When things don't make sense, help us to remember that you're the same. Love you God. Goodnight.