Wealth and Waiting

Let me just say that I had this written last week and never posted it...

Wealth: This week's study took me in a couple of different directions.  There were a couple of questions that focused on wealth and these really hit home with me. I read Jen Hatmaker's 7 this summer and was convicted of so many excesses in my life as a result of "wealth." (I'm not saying in any way that we are wealthy, but we are blessed in many ways that others aren't.) Immediately after reading the book I was so gung-ho about making changes in the way we spent money, what we spent money on, what we found value in.  However, life happened and the need to get rid of "stuff" and desires faded quickly.  This was a reminder that "stuff" and money is not eternal.  I lost my eternal perspective and this week has helped me refocus.   I'm plan to reread the book and rededicate our home to purging and changing the way we look at stuff and others.  (This is a whole series and study in itself that I am blogging about at my personal blog hilarioushooks.blogspot.com.)

Waiting: The other piece that I got stuck on this week was the question that asked if I could identify ways that my faith had been strengthened in the past year or two.  I don't know if it was me not paying attention or God needing to remind me what all He has done in the last year. For several years (probably 5 or more), my husband Tim applied for many jobs to move up both in town and out of town.  Each time he received a call that he was one of two finalists and it always came down to the other person.  It was extremely frustrating, exhausting, and disappointing.  There were times I was angry at those making the decisions and at God.  I didn't understand.  Last spring Tim was given the opportunity to move in a different direction professionally.  It was NOTHING that either of us had ever considered, thought about, or even just wondered about. It was truly a God thing.  Our lives have definitely changed for the better. WAY less stress makes for a more relaxed Dad and husband.

We didn't see the bigger picture.  Each of those jobs Tim didn't get - we were able to see after the fact that he didn't want them.  They weren't good situations. Our perspective was clouded by the daily drama we found ourselves in. I have to use these last years in the future when I begin to doubt and can't understand the waiting.

I also am sorting through the concept that maybe sometimes God's "calling" is to "wait."  At least sometimes I thing God is telling me to"wait" for his calling.  Regardless, I have to continue to seek Him and serve Him while I'm waiting.