How awesome is this?

I read a post tonight that was so inspiring, and I think it will inspire you too:  
LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE  (I LOVE her blog)

Not many of you know that we are deeply in debt.  After the long 2 years we've had, trying to stay afloat to do the honorable thing and not default on our loans and credit cards, we are close to drowning.  But we're not under yet. :)  When we started out in 2009, we had no debt at all beyond the house loan.  Here we are, 2 years later and...well, I'm not going to tell you the number (unless I suddenly get brave), but it's a lot.  We're working hard to start the paying off process via Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps, but it's slow going so far.

Interestingly, we tried out a new church last week.  The sermon was all about God's provision.  It had a touch of a "prosperity" message, which isn't necessarily what Dave and I ascribe to, but he had some great points we've found to be true in our lives.  One of the things God asks of us is to give of ourselves in the form of tithe.  This is his way of asking us to trust him.  But that can be hard when you're struggling.

I mean, is there really ever enough money?  Can't we use all of that money for our own needs?  God can come up with his own money when he needs it, or there will always be someone more wealthy than us that can give, right?  But it's really a trust issue.  I give the first 10% (or whatever has been laid on my heart) of my money no matter what, and then I trust that God will be faithful to provide for our NEEDS (maybe not our wants).

This may or may not be true for you, but for us, when I give that tithe, we usually have enough money to pay the bills.  When I don't?  Either because I forgot, or I chose to not give because I don't think we'll have enough, then our money is somehow like a leaky faucet, and I struggle to get the bills paid.  I don't know why this is, but I'm done asking.  I now just obey.  And He provides.  Always.  And I am so thankful. 

I know in this journey we're on to be faithful to paying our debt off, God will be faithful to provide.  We are still not sure where the money will come from each month, as we're praying for Dave to find a full time salaried job, but God is providing.  Instead of stressing out each month at the situation we're in, I choose to rest in His arms, knowing that he is still refining our faith.  If things were easy, would we be so focused on turning to him for our provision?  Maybe not. 

This path He has us on is leading to our freedom, in more ways than one.  Only He knows the ending.