God's lesson in contentment

Jonathan has been asking me to get on board with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover to get a handle on our debt for quite some time. I don't like dealing with our finances and often live in denial about money - I think a lot of us can be guilty of this! So needless to say...I really wasn't on board with a strict budget that forced us to make sacrifices. I wanted to continue to live in the now and not worry about our debt situation.

Apparently God has been trying to get me on board too...first in subtle ways then in more obvious ways. It started last December when we found out Andy needed ACL surgery. That was $800. I had recently quit my job to start my own business, we were not even 2 months into my pregnancy, and it was Christmas-time. We did not have $800.

Then in January we had a coupling burst on a pipe which caused a lot of water damage in our garage. Insurance covered it but there was a $500 deductible. Yet another blow.

Because of the pregnancy, we had some medical bills come up. Again insurance covered most but there's that deductible again. Our bill for Kenley was roughly $2500.

Then the biggest wake up call came as our 3 year wedding Anniversary gift. Jonathan and I had dinner at the Melting Pot...a very nice treat for us. As we all headed up the stairs to get ready for bed, we found water was coming out of the ceiling and the landing was soaked. Our air conditioner was leaking. The next day our AC tech confirmed our fear...we needed a new AC unit. After paying for a new AC unit and yet another insurance deductible, we were out $6000.

We both hit rock bottom. Our spirits were broken and we were defeated. We couldn't figure out why all this was happening. We both began praying and begging God for some assistance, some understanding, some relief...anything.

A couple of weeks later we were heading up to Nashville for a friend's wedding. As we were flipping through the stations, we came across Dave Ramsey's call in radio show. We listened through several callers, which is unusual for me as I usually request to change to music. Then "THE CALL" came in. The one I am convinced God had me in the exact place and time to hear. It was a couple who had followed D.R.'s plan and were finally debt free. They got to cheer "We're debt free!" and my heart instantly began to hurt.

God had been putting all of these situations in my life to get me on track and on board with getting out of debt. I had been irresponsible with my spending all these years and an unsupportive wife to my husband's requests to tackle our debt. God calls us to be good stewards of our money and I have been ignoring that for years. This call...this simple cheer of accomplishment grabbed hold of me and shook me to my core. THIS is what God has been trying to tell me..To WANT to get out of debt.

I looked at Jonathan and said "I want to be that caller one day." I'm tired of working to live. I'm tired of being in debt. I'm tired of that baggage that we carry. God had spoken to me loud and clear.

I am in no way a perfect person. I'm in no way a model Christian. I'm simply Ashley. I'm a sinner and I struggle everyday. I will struggle with the decision to be wise with my money everyday. I'm tempted by material items and the desire to 'nest.' I'm constantly praying for God to give me patience while we start our LONG and difficult journey to being debt free. I know God is teaching me that I need to be happy and content with what He has given me.

Happiness and joy cannot be found in riches or the material items of today. It is found in Jesus and our families and friends. It is being content and thankful for what you have. I do not and cannot find fulfillment in new furniture or new clothes. I do not and cannot find happiness in money. My happiness comes from the many blessings He has given me. My fulfillment comes from Him.