What’s the best way to Make A Difference in someone’s life? Introduce them to Christ!
Wecome to MAD Monday!
Immediately, I send Ria a text message telling her how much we’re getting back. I then turn to the kids, without having thought of this AT ALL and said, “listen kids, here in a few weeks we’re getting a new TV, I’m gonna buy you a Wii , we’re going to put our old TV in your play room and I’m going to buy you an XBox 360 with Rock Band. We’re gonna have new furniture, a new desk and a new dining room set, so YOU BETTER GET USED TO SITTING ON THE FLOOR! Daddy is gonna buy a new camcorder and we’re gonna pay half of Grandma’s plane ticket to come see us this summer. We have to find you a babysitter cuz your Mommy and I are going to Rome. Oh crap, Chaya, we need to get you some stuff too. Ummm what do you want? Oh, some dollies? Ok, you got it….We’ll buy lots of dollies.” Yes, it’s in quotes for a reason…That’s word-for-word how I said it.
In a matter of 5 minutes, I spent every dime we had. I probably spent more than we had, but it was done. For those of you who know me, you know once I have made up my mind, it’s done. I sat down at the computer and smiled. I had the plan! We could invite people over now cuz we’re all of the sudden good enough cuz we have nice stuff. Wow, I felt good.
Ria came home and I told her where all of the money was going. Notice I TOLD her, I didn’t ask. But she doesn’t mind cuz Ria and I are, pretty much, twins separated at birth. We have these same problems of acting on impulse.
Fast forward to the next day. I just finished doing some laundry and was in the living room laughing at my old, beaten up desk. I was measuring, with my eyes, where the new TV would go. I sat down to check my mail and among all of the emails, 2 of them are seemingly in BOLD BOLD print. They read:
- TURBOTAXONLINE—YOUR FEDERAL RETURN HAS BEEN REJECTED BY THE IRS.
- TURBOTAXONLINE—YOUR STATE RETURN HAS BEEN REJECTED BY THE IRS.
I felt like someone just killed my dog. I didn’t want to open either one of them, and I didn’t for about an hour. Instead, I sat and thought. I thought, “wow God, I know I’m a screw up, but You didn’t have to do THAT!”
I was continuing down a path that has haunted me all of my life. I DON’T THINK! I DO! No prayer, no thought, no discussion, no planning. All that mattered is that I wanted it and I want it NOW! But this is how God speaks to me. Sometimes He has to make me feel like my world is crumbling to stop and think about what I’m doing. Sometimes, just like a Father, he has to say, “HEY, did you ask if you could have that?” It’s like a slap in the face, followed by a giant hug. Man, what a feeling.
I have since prayed and prayed and it turned out that I simply forgot a form on our taxes and all is well again, but we, yes WE, not just me, have redistributed the funds. There aren’t too many items on the previous list that made it. My Mom’s plane ticket is a must, but then we’re talking about putting some into savings. No, I didn’t stutter, I said SAVINGS!
My Mom is probably having a coronary right now cuz that word, “savings”, isn’t one I have used too often in my life.
Then, I was reading THIS POST and it inspired what you’re reading. Thanks Bill, that’s good stuff!
It was this verse that has stuck in my mind since then:
Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish. Luke 14:28-30 (The Message)
Yes God, I would have looked quite foolish. Thank You for the wake up call! AMEN!
Am I alone here? Do you struggle with impulse?
I’m so grateful for our God!
