How God has Grown Me Through Finances

The past two years have been an incredible faith walk for me with finances. Starting over with a new mortgage, being single again, and back to full time status at work was a little overwhelming. Things seemed to be going very well until I received my mortgage update March 2008. The escrow account was in shortfall and the taxes were going up. Long story made short, my payments were going up $118 a month. Thoughts of refinancing came to mind and I knew in my heart that is was not the right time. I gave the whole situation to God, committed to stand firm in his word, work hard and as much as I needed, continued to serve the body of Christ through my time and tithe.

In Malachi 3:10 it is written: Bring the whole tithe into the store-house that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

The Lord provided me with many ways. The Lord blessed me with more overtime hours than I could have ever imagined. He enabled me to pay my bills in a timely manner, bless others with some items that I was not using at my home, and enabled me to spend down time with friends from other areas of the US. I never gave up the idea of refinancing, but I new that timing was everything. In January 2009, I started watching the interest rates a little more closely and decided that this may be the time. The refinance closing on my home was yesterday. God is so good! I am so looking forward to being able to serve him more and not worrying about the next bill. I know that many others struggle.

I am not sure how all the numbers worked out for 9 months, but they did. Just trust in the Lord.

The Seven Longings of the Human Heart

I never really looked at my experience with Jesus as the bridegroom God according to the seven longings of my heart. The longing for assurance that we are enjoyed, the longing to be fascinated, to be beautiful, to be great, for intimacy with out shame, to make an impact, and to be passionate. I know God loves me, but WOW. He can fill all my needs. It is almost amazing how my spirit has settled down since I have become more center on the Lord and spend more time in his word and not in the world. Doing this reality check on my life and how I use my time and money is creating a yearning in me to learn to grow in my walk in the Lord and do his work.

God has placed many people in my path that I know pray for me often. I can feel those prayers on a daily basis and I thank you all so much. I am so thankful for each of you and cherish your friendships. As the day of the Lord draws near, we ALL need to draw near to him and each other for strength.