We have been going through our own little family transition lately in trying to figure out where our place in life is - and moreover learning to be content with wherever we're at right now. Tom recently told me that that is what these years are all about, but I am still convinced we can have our entire life planned out right now :) Tom is trying to figure out where the best place is for him to thrive, something he doesn't always feel like he's doing right now. We are also debating whether or not we want to move back to the Louisville/Superior area or stay where we are. We wouldn't move for another couple of years but we are keeping it in mind because we haven't been sure that we have really been all that effective in our original purpose of moving down here. I think it is somewhat hard to be involved in a college ministry when you aren't full time with it. Please pray for us in all these decisions. I know that God will direct us when the time is right. For now, we are loving the area we live in. The mountains are right by us and Denver is pretty close too!
Tom blew away my perspectives the other night when he questioned how biblical it is to have a big savings account and prepare for things like retirement. I come from a background where saving is the most important thing you could do because you never know what can happen. At first, I really defended that perspective mentioning how even in the Bible they saved crops and food for seven years so that they would be prepared for the coming seven years of famine. It seems though, ever since that conversation, other things keep popping up in my mind about how I am not trusting in God to provide as much. I have this attitude that God can work miracles for others but it is too risky to give Him it all when it comes to my own life.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
Recently, we both took a spiritual gifts test and the biggest thing we had in common that was important to us was giving. We both love to give to people in several different ways and I think the more we give sacrificially, the more God will truly bless us. It is the same story as the widow who gave the only coin she had compared to the Pharisees who gave out of surplus. We each should be taking those steps of faith of giving when we don't have extra to give, knowing that God will provide. He doesn't always provide though in the way we expect, but He will take care of us. Tom and I are only beginning to grasp this lesson and think about ways to live it out. Even the concept of us being givers is a huge change for me. I have always thought that I would be more on the stage of things by directly impacting people through missions or some ministry, but it seems like, at least for now, God wants us to be behind the scenes. Learning to give ourselves up through sacrificial giving and by praying more for our needs as well as the needs of others. We are learning about what it means to truly 'hold the ropes' for others.
