Ever have those days/weeks/months...when the money just doesn't stretch far enough...and no matter how much you re-arrange the budget(and I can squeeze blood from turnips) things keep happening to mess it up again?...Yep, having one....
Ever think "what else could go wrong?"...(now that's a bad idea, you should know better...and NEVER say that outloud...)
Ever wonder when it was that you were bored?
Ever feel like life is getting somewhat settled? ...no? ...me neither.
I am 48 years old...I have been married for 30 yrs...I have grown children and 2 jobs and a mortgage...and still I can't seem to get it together...
I've decided that there is no such thing as "getting ahead". That, my dear friend is the real American dream...and that is all it is too...there is no getting ahead....there is mostly falling behind and a little bit of keeping up....
It is endless...yet somehow...we have managed...by the grace of God...to have a decent house(in need of a bit of repair)...2 cars(in need of maintenance and tires)...insurance(that only pays 80/20, of course)....food on the table(at least we eat pretty well)...get 3 kids through college(well almost thru) and take an occasional vacation(even if it is only for a long weekend)....
We have...so far...(thank you, Lord)...been bailed out of...or otherwise survived, the many crisees of life that have come our way ...and nothing surpasses the feeling of relief that accompanies being bailed out(it is the epitomy of grace..being saved, just in the nick of time)...
On occasion, we have even been able to do some of the bailing when the waves of life have threatened to overwhelm our loved ones...
The feeling of well being that comes with offering that relief to someone else along the way...well that is priceless and possibly what we are being bailed out and helped to survive for in the first place.....
21 comments:
what a great post!! I feel like that all the time!!
I felt the way you do when I worked - never got ahead only more and more behind. When I got downsized out of the only job I ever had after 25 years, I KNEW it would get worse....and guess what? it didn't, it got better. I had to change my lifestyle 180 degrees but I have been on Cloud 9 ever since. My joy is with me every morning. I feel like I get a little taste of everything instead of a whole meal. If I ever have to go back to work it will be for food but my freedom is so important to me that it keeps me in check. Have never been on a vacation but don't need one now - I get one everyday. You will too, someday. Big hugs to you, my friend...
I have been bailed and had the blessing to help when someone else needed bailing. Your right, life is just spinning your wheels trying to keep ahead of the game.
When I put everything into perspective I see how blessed I am. I will never travel the world, but I no longer feel the need.
Have you ever noticed that the more money you make, the more you spend? I see that with so many people today. Working like crazy, but never getting ahead.
If you have the means to bail someone out, thank the Lord for the opportunity to be a blessing. If you've been bailed, thank Him doubly.
w/ you on that bailing and being bailed out thought.
your last line hit on something there.....:) being bailed out for the very reason of bailing others out.....you know i received so many car rides in my life that now i don't blink twice when somebody needs a ride....my car is His anyway....anyway, in all the bailing, do remember this, sweet cheryl, THERE ARE MORE FOR US THAN AGAINST US!!! because of that, i DO think we can get ahead...we are the HEAD not the tail, aren't we?
Me too! Ahead? What's that? Maybe someday.
Oooh, so true. Always spending slightly just beyond ones means. It is indeed, a dream - promoted by Hollywood - that just beyond reach (for me!) is that perfect man, the house (I rent) and true happiness. I am soooo relieved I KNOW it's a dream. Ask enough people and they'll tell you if they're honest. The reality is something far better and it is pursuit of THAT which has you and I captivated. Whew.
If we only ask, God will carry us through the tough times. We must remember to be thankful to Him in the good times. I can remember paying $35 per can for Nathan's formula (special mix) ... wondering how we would pay for it. God was faithful and worked it out.
oh you must have been inside my head today!!1 I have been so busy getting my daughter's asthma under control I haven't been able to post what has been poppin all inside my head today...much of what your wrote was in there!!! Stay tuned because I hope to get my version posted tonight...but meanwhile I am going to use our last $20 (until payday) to go get a pizza..and I wonder why we can't get ahead...and did I tell you I met with a financial advisor today???? see....you must have been right beside me when I screamed...but why can't we get ahead!!!!!! Blessings ;) still got that email in my head to that I want to send you ;)
This post reminded me of Oprah yesterday. She had all these people on and they were talking about America's Debt Diet. I was amazed at people who paid off 20,000 or 50,000, the problem is we don't have alot of excess like most of them had to get rid of, so back to the drawing board. Great post, I think most of us have been there and can sympathize. True about being bailed out, so we can bail out. Great post!!
I'm just thankful that God is always faithful to "bail" us out when we need it.
Thanks for the great post. My 'puter wasn't updating your blog for some reason, until today!
I think you're right, Cheryl. I think we get bailed out from time to time so that we're there when someone needs us to bail them out. I'll say this, though. If all of us who are in this situation climbed into the same boat, it would probably sink! One step forward, two steps back. For as long as I can remember.
this reminded me of some part of the book i read - ...PLANT A SEED AND EXPECT A HARVEST. it's a book called Attack Your Lack by Oral Roberts. all of us have lack and they're not God's plan for us. plant a seed towards God's kingdom against your need and see how God multiplies that seed. i also remember in one book i read that when you are in need of anything, try helping others and see how God turn things around for you.
God bless.
Hi, I found your blog and really like it :)
I can totally relate to what you said !!
Deborah
i just loved this.
I just learned something new and wanted to share it (out of Bill Johnson's book Supernatural Power of the Transformed Mind):"....in Philippians 4:19 when it says according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.... A Jewish rabbi was asked about that phrase and he said, "It means God, out of His realm of glory and dominion, will release to His people ideas, concepts, creative things, and witty inventions that will cause tremendous provision to come to them." That was new revelation for me. Just wanted to share it and pray that He will pour out ideas, concepts, creative things, and witty inventions that will cause TREMENDOUS PROVISION to come to you and your loved ones! Bless you!
Thanks for this, Cheryl. I can totally relate. Sure keeps us humble, though. We've never had much of a bank account, and had it all wiped out many times by emergencies. While we were thankful and dependent on God, there were nights I just cried. And then God would show me all His creative goodness in the months to follow. Hope I never forget His provisions! {{Hugs}}
It shouldn't be so hard to stay ahead. Too many of us are just a hair from slipping into the poverty level.
Yet the wealthy seem to be doing better than ever.
I read in a recent magazine how the millionaires in Mailbu are being outpriced from the homes by the billionaires moving in.
Sheesh. Hard to imagine.
Praise Jesus for His amazing grace! HE is so good!
yep gal...I've just read both of your posts...and you know what...we're all in this here boat together...I don't know what I would do without all of my fellow "bailers" and I count you as one...thanks ever so much for your support through some of my roughest waters!!
(((hugs)))
:)
i've decided that the "falling behind" will burn someday, but the "bailing out" will survive :)
Post a Comment