As I was writing my last blog post, I couldn't help but make a realization that needed to be written down.
Last week I was sort of hit with an "Oh my gosh, how am I going to pay all these bills?!" kind of moment. It's not that I'm in so much debt that I fear I'll be put in jail next week, or that I'll be filing bankruptcy before I turn 21, but I am in more debt that I feel comfortable with and my payments each month are higher than I'd like them to be, although they are affordable. I think I was starting to panic because I knew my credit card payment was about to triple since my intro APR was going to end after this month.
Three days ago I tweeted this: "Trusting that God will provide today... So nervous about all the money I need to come up with."
I tweeted that right as I pulled up to the bank in Newton. I was trying to get a small loan to consolidate all my debt that would pay my car off and my credit cards off at a lower interest rate than what I'm paying now. It seemed like the only option I had to lessen my monthly payments, but, I didn't get it. I wasn't angry at God, but I didn't understand. I couldn't figure out what He wanted me to do. I knew I had gotten myself into debt but I realized that I wasn't capable of just pulling myself out of it alone. I just didn't know what to do. So I prayed about it.
Literally a day later, things started to fall into place. I secured a few more house-sitting jobs and I devised this idea that I would budget all the money I had coming in for the next few months.I literally stared at my computer screen for hours before realizing my blessings. Assuming I get no new housesitting dates for the rest of the year, relying on my current housesitting dates and Zander's income alone, I'll pay off one credit card by the beginning of October. With my refund check from school coming in October, I'll be able to pay off my car in cash, too. That's two bills that will be eliminated in a matter of months. When my car is paid off, I'll be able to get rid of collision which will bring my car insurance down and I also plan to get rid of my blackberry which will lower my cell phone payment. If I stick to this budget, I'll also have lots left over that will go straight to my credit card debt. If I get my typical amount of housesitting during the months of August - December, I should only have a little over 25% of my current balance left on my credit card, which can then be paid off in just a few short months due to my other debts being paid.
Another blessing that happened this weekend was concerning our NOLA trip. I was getting discouraged about paying for the trip because even though it's a cheaper vacation than going to the beach, we quickly realized that we were going to be paying a lot in lodging, gas and the basic necessities of food while we were there. We also wanted to make sure we had enough to go out to attractions that cost money, and to be able to purchase some stuff before we left like groceries and clothes. I had mentioned to Ethan that maybe we should just cancel but he didn't like that idea at all. After searching online for hotels, I quickely realized several things: 1.Hotels in our price range were sketchy 2.They weren't even going to let us have a hotel room because neither of us will be 21. Bummer. I saw a link for a bed and breakfast and I was super excited to learn that they were much cheaper and MUCH nicer than most hotels. Why don't people stay in B&Bs more often?! I found one that seemed relatively reasonable and Ethan and I almost booked it but decided to wait. Later on in the weekend I did some last minute searching and found a deal that seemed too good to be true. This B&B only charges $65 a nigh and that includes all taxes, fees and breakfasts each morning. This was SUCH a good deal compared to what we had planned on getting. The breakfasts aren't elaborate, but the fresh fruit and cereals provided will be more than enough for us. I got so excited, called and found out that the innkeeper had a room available, but she would not let us book a room because we weren't 21. This was the only Inn I had called that had this rule. I even asked if a parent could rent for us and she said no. Discouraged, I decided to give it one last shot. I sent the lady an e-mail asking her to reconsider, offering both of our parents to vouch for us and reassured her of our character and maturity. I even offered to get references. A few hours later I got an e-mail that said she would consider it more after talking to my mom, and this morning after they talked I got an e-mail that said she would agree to letting us stay. WOW. God really pulled through for us. Not only are we getting the room at an awesome price, but we are now able to stay an extra night. This isn't something we really wanted to do, because we didn't intend to turn this into a 5 day event, but after looking at all our options it seemed best to stay an extra night so that we were well rested for driving home. We also wanted to stop a few places along the way home, and being able to leave during the morning would let us do that and still make it home before dark.
I don't know why I am so astonished everytime I see things in life be taken care of by God. He plainly tells us that He will provide what we need. And when we finally surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him to take over our plans instead of insisting that we do it ourselves, so many things happen that show His love, mercy and grace.
There are still many things that I don't have resolved yet. I need to get my car fixed ($500), I need to get it road-legal ($100), I need to get a new license ($32) and I need to get two fillings in my mouth ($500). Yes, that all adds up to be quite a bit, but I know I'll make it all work. Having faith is the hardest,easiest and most important part of any plan that could ever be devised. I have to have faith that my God will provide again... and He will, just as He always does.
Matthew 6:31-32
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
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