Finances :) March 3, 2008

For me, it is sooo hard to trust God with finances. I, in my controlling nature, want to keep this part of my life to myself most times. I guess this is why Jesus had so much to say about money Anyway, it is a struggle that I have to work on everyday. I remember when I came to college and started feeling conviction about tithing. I KNEW God was calling me to it (as he does every believer), but I didn’t want to do it. In fact, I couldn’t imagine how I would possibly make it if I “had” to “give up” a chunk of my income to the church. I put these things in quotations because I now realize how ridiculous these feelings were, but nonetheless, I felt that way at the time. Well, once I started walking in obedience, I found that I made it just fine without that money. Then, strangely, I started to look forward to tithing. Then, I started viewing it as an act of worship, and now I can’t imagine going back to a life where I didn’t GET TO serve the church this way. One day I got a statement from the church letting me know how much I had given over the course of a year and I about fainted looking at the number! This was not because I was impressed with my contributions, or because I regretted giving it. Rather, I was sooo humbled that I ever doubted God’s provision. I was more than ok without that money, and it was such a blessing to know that God was using it to further His kingdom!

That being said, I still have issues with finances. You know me. Recently I was humbled in a huge way..again. God re-teaches me in new circumstances, and I am grateful for that.

With Baby Lagasse due in July, Ben and I decided that I will teach during June, but not July. This will be great for my recovery and such, but it isn’t so great for our monthly income. Either way, we believe this is what is best for our family, and we had to trust that God would provide for us. Well…

I got an email from Dr. Stewart a few days ago (he is one of my graduate professors and the co-author of the Public Speaking textbook TTU uses) and he informed me that the publishing company that prints the textbook was looking for someone to author web content for the newest edition of the book coming out in September of this year. This sounded like something I would enjoy doing, so I jumped at the opportunity. The awesome thing is that it will pay MORE than what I would make in July if I were teaching, but I get to work on everything from home before the baby comes!! But wait…there’s more! The publisher contacted me again today and asked if I would consider revising the instructor’s resource manual for the new edition. This is a much bigger project, but it is well worth the time and effort, so I accepted I will also be paid for this contract job!

Moral of the story is this: God is so faithful! He asks us to be obedient to His purposes and this requires some scary decisions at times. Ben and I were concerned about how the money would surface, but God knows where we are at, and He knows exactly how much money we will need during this transitional time in our lives. I don’t say any of this to toot my own horn, but to testify of His provision. Trust Him with your money-He is worthy

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