Calculating the Cost

Calculating the Cost

God must have a sense of humor. . .I mean really, sometimes he must just look down on our foolishness, and just get the biggest laugh. . .

A couple of years after our son's death. . .we were beginning to recuperate. . .the world didn't stop and let us off. . .life had gone on. . .and we had adapted. . .

God blessed me with the most incredible job. . .carrying mail for the Post Office. . .it was great. . .more money than I had ever made in my life. . .a miracle from the Lord. . .we hardly knew what to do with ourselves. . .so we did what many young couples do. . .we spent it. . .yes we did. . .

Oh, we were faithful in our tithes and offerings. . .we learned those lessons. . .you can never outgive God. . .but we had a hi ho time. . .we put in a new pool. . .bought a new van. . .added on to the house. . .went on vacation to Disney World. . .

by this time we had adopted our son. . .he fit right in to the family. . .he had never had anything. . .so we made sure if he wanted it, he got it. . .and of course we couldn't deprive our other son. . .after all, he had lost his brother. . .we couldn't have him traumatized by doing without anything. . .

and so it went. . .for at least three years, we lived the good life. . .

and then we decided. . .we'll build a NEW HOUSE. . .

we've all heard that Bible Story haven't we. . .about building bigger barns. . .

Now, looking back, I can't honestly tell you if we prayed about it or not. . .what I can tell you is this. . .if we did pray about it. . .God's answer was NO. . .but we did not hear NO. . .we heard GO! and go we did. . .

We ran into a roadblock at every turn. . .I could not even begin to list them. . .we were determined to make it happen. . .and we did. . .we paid for things out of our pocket. . .we moved money out of savings. . .we did whatever needed to be done to make it happen. . .and it was wonderful. . .wonderful, I tell you. . .

until. . .the bills started rolling in. . .

do you know what it costs to air condition 10 foot ceilings. . .and insure all that wonderfulness?. . .neither did we. . .not a clue. . .

But even in our ignorance, and our stubborness, God was faithful. . .and delivered us. . .and we sold our beautiful, beautiful home. . .and barely broke even. . .and came back down to reality. . .to the real world. . .where the real mortals live. . .

and it was then that we had an EPIPHANY. . .

YOU NEED TO LIVE ON LESS THAN YOU MAKE. . .and NOT BE IN DEBT. . .

there is a reason it says in the Bible that the borrower is SLAVE to the LENDER. . .

we had learned a priceless lesson. . .being enslaved was not fun. . .working overtime to pay bills was not fun. . .knowing your paycheck was gone before you even got it was not fun either. . .

Our road to recovery was slow. . .and sometimes painful. . .but we were faithful. . .and God was faithful. . .and we endured, and God was faithful. . .and his promises were true. . .and he has blessed us above all we could ask or think. . .

and for that we give Him the glory. . .