Managing our rapidly dwindling income has become a full-time job for both Caleb and I. In April Caleb's income was cut in half. The end of May saw my last full paycheck before going on maternity leave. And at the end of June Caleb was officially laid off and we got the last paycheck we could count on. We are now both wards of the state as I collect State Disability and Caleb collects Unemployment. With each decrease in our income we've gone back to the budget and the bills and worked what magic we could to make ends meet each month. So far we haven't had to pull too much from our savings, and that alone has been a huge blessing.
One of the up sides of instability in your finances is a chance to watch God provide in ways we used to provide for ourselves. It is amazing how he takes care of us in ways big and small ... when we just let him. For a while now I've needed to list some of the things that God has provided ...
A crib for Josie, which we were able to paint white, exactly what we wanted
A changing table
A shelf unit for the nursery
Josie's curtains, crib bumper and rocking chair cushions (all hand-made by my MIL)
Josie's entire wardrobe
A breast pump, including the accessories and bottles (at least through October)
A coupon good for a meal for two at California Pizza Kitchen
A pair of pants for $5.31 (originally $89 at Ann Taylor Loft ... I HAD to brag about that one)
Meals for a full six weeks after Josie was born
Enough cash for my birthday to help with a transition wardrobe (between maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes)
Caleb gets at least one new contact a week from someone who knows he's looking for work
And its more than just stuff ... we've also been cared for in many non-material ways, not the least of which is the amount of help we've had with the baby from friends and family. Yesterday my cousin came over and helped me reorganize the pantry, bake cookies and vacuum the carpet. And both my mom and MIL have been hugely helpful in ways from cooking and cleaning to helping watch the baby and decorate her room.
Its easy to start panicking when I think too much about our finances and bills ... which is why its so important to take stock of how much I don't have to worry. God is good, he is the Great Provider. I look forward to the things I have yet to count that will continue to show how much he cares.
21 July 2009
God's provision
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I am not thrilled that you get to experience this. But, I am super excited to see GOD PROVIDE. Like He always does. If you want a fun children's book to read, Raising Yoder's Barn (http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Yoders-Barn-Jane-Yolen/dp/0316075930) was a book that we were reading for school when we were out of work. It brought tears. God really used it to speak to me.
i hate the in-between wardrobe. i feel like i have been in that place for about 4 years. it passes..... i think :)
Post a Comment