In all honesty, many of the things I write on this blog are things I think about while driving/praying on my 30 minute commute to work.
Today on my drive home I was listening to the radio, and there was a short news piece about a couple of famous young women who are now billionaires.
I've gotta tell ya, my $20,000 a year income cannot even wrap its mind around what a billion dollars even means. And billions of dollars? Can't comprehend, other than I know it means being able to live without the constant worry of what extra jobs I can pick up this week to pay my bills.
So, away with this thought my brain went.
If money was not an issue, what would I do? How would my life be different?
Of course there are the little things. I would pay off my car and student loans. I would throw out several shirts that are ready to go and replace them with new ones. I would go out for a sushi dinner more than once a year. I would fly to Colorado to see my family more often.
On a bigger scale though, I gotta be honest. If I didn't have to worry about money, I would keep the same job I have now, working with autistic kids.
I would continue to volunteer at Youth for Christ, but instead of squeezing in time with my girls when possible, I would buy a house in their neighborhood and quit my extra tutoring jobs so I could be home with my door open when they get out of school. I could bake them cookies and help them with their homework every day. I could hear the little details about their everyday lives instead of once or twice a month updates.
Then summers. Oh, the things I would do with my summers. Since I work at a school, and I wouldn't have to work summer school, I could travel the world. But first I would get my master's degree in Community Development. I would spend the summers building schools in rural areas where there is no formal education, but I would do it in a way that they are community sustainable. (I have ideas, let me tell ya).
And as I continued driving, my ideas expanded. Then I realized that my dreams are not that far away from reality. In some areas I would be able to do the things I love "better," but I wonder at what point my reliance on Christ would turn to reliance on money.
Since I can remember, growing up in a single parent home, each month was lived by faith. There were days we didn't know if we would have dinner, and somehow God always provided.
Yeah, it would be awesome if I had the money to, with the swipe of a card, just pay for the Rural School Project in Zimbabwe. But then I would be missing out on being part of an international community. The members of New Life Church and I would miss out on the act of stepping foward in faith each month to meet the government regulations and time line in the building process. The communities around Binga would miss out on offering their time and talents and sweat in order to give their children an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. And the kids would miss out on the opportunity to experience through this project the faithfulness and power of Christ, through whom all things are possible.
And all of these things, they can be hard, but they are good. These are the things money can't buy.
I ended my drive with a prayer that if God ever entrusts me with more money, that I will be faithful with each cent I am given, and if he doesn't, that I would do the same. I prayed that I always remember that no matter how much or how little I have, it all belongs to Him. And I thanked Him for always proving himself faithful.
What would you do if you never had to worry about money? How would your life change?
Today on my drive home I was listening to the radio, and there was a short news piece about a couple of famous young women who are now billionaires.
I've gotta tell ya, my $20,000 a year income cannot even wrap its mind around what a billion dollars even means. And billions of dollars? Can't comprehend, other than I know it means being able to live without the constant worry of what extra jobs I can pick up this week to pay my bills.
So, away with this thought my brain went.
If money was not an issue, what would I do? How would my life be different?
Of course there are the little things. I would pay off my car and student loans. I would throw out several shirts that are ready to go and replace them with new ones. I would go out for a sushi dinner more than once a year. I would fly to Colorado to see my family more often.
On a bigger scale though, I gotta be honest. If I didn't have to worry about money, I would keep the same job I have now, working with autistic kids.
I would continue to volunteer at Youth for Christ, but instead of squeezing in time with my girls when possible, I would buy a house in their neighborhood and quit my extra tutoring jobs so I could be home with my door open when they get out of school. I could bake them cookies and help them with their homework every day. I could hear the little details about their everyday lives instead of once or twice a month updates.
Then summers. Oh, the things I would do with my summers. Since I work at a school, and I wouldn't have to work summer school, I could travel the world. But first I would get my master's degree in Community Development. I would spend the summers building schools in rural areas where there is no formal education, but I would do it in a way that they are community sustainable. (I have ideas, let me tell ya).
And as I continued driving, my ideas expanded. Then I realized that my dreams are not that far away from reality. In some areas I would be able to do the things I love "better," but I wonder at what point my reliance on Christ would turn to reliance on money.
Since I can remember, growing up in a single parent home, each month was lived by faith. There were days we didn't know if we would have dinner, and somehow God always provided.
Yeah, it would be awesome if I had the money to, with the swipe of a card, just pay for the Rural School Project in Zimbabwe. But then I would be missing out on being part of an international community. The members of New Life Church and I would miss out on the act of stepping foward in faith each month to meet the government regulations and time line in the building process. The communities around Binga would miss out on offering their time and talents and sweat in order to give their children an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. And the kids would miss out on the opportunity to experience through this project the faithfulness and power of Christ, through whom all things are possible.
And all of these things, they can be hard, but they are good. These are the things money can't buy.
I ended my drive with a prayer that if God ever entrusts me with more money, that I will be faithful with each cent I am given, and if he doesn't, that I would do the same. I prayed that I always remember that no matter how much or how little I have, it all belongs to Him. And I thanked Him for always proving himself faithful.
What would you do if you never had to worry about money? How would your life change?
12 comments:
colorado. . .oh man. how i long to be there--which part is your fam in?
I'm actually afraid to make much money. I feel as though I fail in good stewardship as it is. I often wonder how God saw it fit to give me so much, when I often use it for my benefit not his.
but. . .if I had more money, I'd hope that I would use it for God's glory. To love on his people here, and all over. I would love to use it for clean water and education in Haiti :)
@Lala- My mom and granparents are in Denver/Aurora. I make it there about once a year, but I wish it was so much more!
Oh, and clean water, that would be on my list too, and of course the education. There's so many places to help...but I guess we've got to be responsible with what God's given us now and He will give us more if and when he sees fit :)
Do you have ties to Colorado?
Yes, I used to Live in COS. I was a nanny for a CI employee, which is how I became a sponsor!!
my grandmother used to live in Aurora--went and saw her in 1998, my only time to colorado before i moved in 2008! its so lovely out there. much better than socal!
Okay, I definitely remember you telling me you worked for a CI staff, I guess I should have put two and two together that it was in Colorado :) My family moved there in 2006 for my grandparents health, and my sister and her husband moved to Albuquerque. I love it there too.
oh yes, albuquerque is nice. they have the biggest trader joe's i've ever seen. I used to stock up on TJ's goodness so I could have it with me in COS.
Even though I've been through a lot of the land between SoCal and El Paso, and between ELP and CO and between CA and CO, and a lot of it is beautiful, I cannot imagine there being a place better than COS. I've even been in some AMAZING places in CO. they're more beautiful than COS, but there's just something about that place.
I actually ended up working for a few CI employees :) I lived with and worked 16 months full time for one, worked full time 4 months for another, and babysat for another. They are some of the best people you will ever meet. I am the wary or even cynical sort when it comes to people asking for money. But after seeing how much CI employees believe in their work and how much they love Jesus, and just how stinkin nice they are, I knew it was an organisation I could stand behind. I've also read over 700 posts on the blog, and every thing I learn about CI just makes me like them more. Sure, I have some complaints, but I still think they are awesomeface!
I'd totally provide clean water...and lots of mosquito nets!
@Lala- I have not been to the Trader Joes in Alb....but I will definitely go next time I visit. They are one of the main places I shop!
And yes, Compassion is about as awesome as it gets :) I was able to take a trip with them to India, and seeing the programs first hand gave me even more respect for what they do, and I didn't think that was possible.
Cat- My church has been raising money for a well for Mt. Elgon, Kenya, and this summer there is a group going that will get to witness the "grand opening"...seeing this community have access to clean water for the first time. I am sure that is going to be a joyous and amazing thing to see! Oh, and mosquito nets would be on my list too...I think if I wrote everything out it be a book...I keep thinking of more and more things.
If money went an issue I would help kids in Haiti that are orphan and victim of prostitution and organ trafficking.
Hello from blogfrog
yes! do check it out! the sad thing about TJ's is they discontinue all the good stuff. I loved the dried hibiscus flowers and mediterranean cheese yoghurt. the yoghurt is available at any middle eastern market but I can't find the hibiscus ANYWHERE!
nets are awesome too! someone paid for my lunch once and told me to put my money to good use, so i bought a net :) I love telling people about BiteBack.
This is so great! I love how in depth your mind went and the reminder/challenge that we have the BEST DAD who owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" to provide the opportunity for us to do all the dreams and desires born of His heart. Wow! I am challenged!
Hopping over from Imperfect People!
This is good stuff. Money is such a trap for so many people but it is so temporary. I love your heart!
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