The road to Financial Peace isn't easy!

Thinking about our new life on Mr. Dave Ramsey's budget, and thought I should update. I still think it is one of the best things that has happened to us in the last year. There really is freedom in finally taking control of our money, and it has opened up communication doors Steve and I didn't even know were there. That part has been great, and our marriage has grown in such a neat way.
But as the weeks go by, and the bills pile up, it is so hard to stick to this plan. I liked it better when I could pay for things with credit, or with the "knowledge" of my paycheck at the end of the week, rather than having to wait until it is actually in the bank and each dollar has been spent on paper, the BUDGET. When you can't take care of things on credit anymore, or finance the stuff that you "need", you finally realize how short your paycheck comes every month! I don't know how we did it all these years, just making it up as we went along. It has been a great thing, to be working the plan and moving forward, but it is also really hard too. Each time Steve and I sit down to see what else needs to go, we realize how many luxuries we have called necessities. Even cell phones, pets and fast food. I can justify it all! But if we are honest, we know that these are things that are convenient but not "necessary" for daily life. And when you have dug yourself in a hole and are wanting out, conveniences have got to go!

That is the toughest part for me now, it's not tempting to overspend at Costco, or go out to eat without cash from the "entertainment envelope". What's tough is looking at my life and weeding out the wastes that we still have. If I truly don't want to work full time, can we continue having horses? That is the saddest, most difficult question. The kids have gotten so busy, and as they hit high school I am sure it will get worse, so if I am honest, I know we have these guys for me. I am the crazy horse lady who can't go a day without hugging one and brushing their manes, sniffing their sweet noses and watching them galloping through a pasture- bucking and rearing. It makes my day, and gives me a laugh no matter what else is going on. Has my faith and relationship with Jesus grown enough to fill the gap that living without horses will leave? Steve thinks so, and I know he is right when he says we need to modify our overhead. Our place is too big, our car too expensive, we have three horses for two riders, three dogs, a cat, and a partridge in a pear tree. (No not really, I was just on a role.) Can we suck it up and do the "right" thing, can we "live like no one else now" so that we can "live like no one else for the rest of our lives"? (Dave Ramsey is all about the quotes.) That is the question that plaques me this morning.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

The enemy of "the best" is not "the worst". The enemy of "the best" is "just fine".

(HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Give your family a hug and a kiss, and read 1 Corinthians 13. If only we loved like that- what a day we could make this!)

The title is a quote by Dave Ramsey- you will probably be reading lots of his little sayings over the next few days, as I am totally committed to dropping the charade and doing a "total money makeover". It is a terrifying concept, and horribly humbling- but Steve and I feel so strongly that this is one area in our lives that we have never totally given over to God. Why? Because we are "instant gratification" junkies, never learned to balance a checkbook, and pretty much haven't cared because we could always get by- and had enough money to play with. "Tell your money what to do, or the lack of money will tell you what to do for the rest of your life." Ugh! Telling my money what to do means actually making and working a budget, which means I have to actually THINK before I whip out said money! BUT- it will be so worth it.
In every area of our lives, we have always tried to work Elizabeth George's model- "Good, Better, Best". To progress each day of our lives, from simply being saved, to actually being on fire for God and His glory- to bring a smile to my Jesus' face. Her example years ago had been when you first become a Christian, a baby step might be turning off your rap music and turning on Christian music- good. Then you progress to turning off the Christian music and turning on Christian talk radio and learning from great Bible teachers- better. And finally, you might get to the point of turning off the radio all together and spending time with God, whether it is praying, listening, or simply being quiet before His throne- BEST. It makes so much sense to me, the growth process, in other areas of my life, but with money- I have pretty much seen it as a necessary, but hated, tool- but unfortunately I wield it kind of like I wield a chainsaw- "watch out everyone and everything, here I come and I don't know how to use this!". (Side note- you should come see the shrubs and trees I trimmed this week- terrifying- they are all pretty much stumps. I kept messing up, so they kept getting shorter and shorter!)

Anyways, in all things today, don't settle for "just fine". That is not what Jesus designed for you when He gave you His life. He made you a "co-heir" to the very Kingdom of God! Wow, so go for "the best"! And pray for me that we can do this total transformation. We know we need it, we so badly want to change it, but do we have the gumption and self-control to see it through? I will let you know!

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of GOd is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

Financial Peace...

Quick note: For the first time in 3 years, I got to spend the morning with my dear friend, Kerry, and it was so awesome! To hear about her life, her new house and neighborhood, and her sweet little children- it was the best. We call Kerry and her husband our spiritual parents, because they are the ones whole took the time to come into our pit and pray with us to receive Christ. They helped us through the milk stage, and then sent us on to learn more about God and love Jesus better. And no matter how much time passes, our friendship never changes, and we can always pick up right where we left off. Godly relationships are so awesome!
So I was listening to Dave Ramsey last night, this crazy money guru who tells you horribly sensible ways to get free from debt, materialism, etc. Now, I would rather him tell me how to get rich quick, and to live my life with reckless abandon. Wouldn't that be nicer to listen to? I think so. :)
Seriously, a friend of mine gave me his book and CDs in Arizona, and I started reading it, got totally overwhelmed, and then hid it under my nightstand and envelopes I save and never use. Well, after I got Chloe and Carson to bed last night (Stef and Nickers were on a date- hurray!), I turned on Fox News looking for some good political bashing or at least a bloody, fatal car accident, you know, fodder for nightmares and stress-filled dreams. Anyways, Mr. Annoying and Rude but Horribly Right Ramsey was on, and of course, God finally got my attention. As I listened I got this feeling in my gut, the kind that hurts but not bad, and demands attention but quietly enough if you really wanted to you could ignore it for a bit and it would go away. I contemplated that, and changing the channel to Sponge Bob instead, but as I sat there, I thought of my Jesus, and how He died to set me free. Now- if He wanted me to be free so badly, why would I want to get enslaved and tied up in financial woe, when there is a way out? Why wouldn't I want "financial freedom" like Ramsey talks about- at the small price of "living like no one else now, so you can live like no one else for the rest of your life". It makes so much sense to me, and yet it seems so hard sometimes. You just muddle along, paycheck to paycheck, and pretend that you are being a good steward of what God has entrusted you with. I felt ashamed and sad, but also motivated and hopeful. Can we do it, Lord? Could we really scale so far back, and finally delay gratification- so that we can bring you glory in this area of our lives?
I so want to. So, thank you, Miss Patty, my friend- for giving me those much needed resources that I didn't want. I am ready for them now. Thank you Stef, for getting home late and forcing me to sit quietly and watch t.v. And thank you, Father, for bringing me to a place where my heart is finally ready to truly honor you in all areas. Help me to follow your design- no matter how hard it gets. :)
Now I actually have to get out of bed and start doing it. :)