Economic Mess
by adustyframe ~ October 8th, 2008My mom called on Monday night to talk about it. It seems my father is very upset about it.
When I heard that, it made me afraid because he keeps up on this stuff far more than I do.
I felt the twinge of fear twist in my heart and wondered if we’re barely making it now, how in the world would we make it if the world melts down.
My husband asked me several months ago to stock up on food. Just things we eat in sensible quantities. He knows how uncertain things are in our own lives right now and he felt that would be a way to help if something bad happens with his probation.
So I’ve been doing that and enjoying stocking up when things are cheap.
There is no bunker in our basement or thousands of pounds of food! Just a little bit extra on a shelf.
Lee called me on his break shortly after my mom called. I told him some of the things she said and a couple thoughts of my own.
He said, “Well I don’t know what Bible you read. But my Bible says God is in control and we are not to fear anything.”
I was stunned as I always am when he says something like this. I said, “Hey! No trying to be a godly leader when I am trying to freak out.”
We both laughed. What a blessing he is to me. What an amazing change God is working in his life.
Don’t you think if we trust God when things are rosy we should trust him when things look grim?
I do.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
AMEN to trusting…I have done a lot of that in the last month. I have also been working on “Do not be afraid…”
Today I was washing down my pantry shelves. I took everything out and stacked it on the kitchen floor and was so thankful for all the food that was in my pantry. It doesn’t look like much inside it, but outside those cupboard doors it was huge!
Keep working on those, Robin!
October 8th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Someone prayed last night in our prayer meeting, reminding us that God has promised time and again that He will always provide for our need. How thankful we can be about that. But we really need to pray- many are going to be in need, and crashing finances lead to a lot of undesirabel behaviour. I have to say I am far more greatful for my husbands work in the National Health Service now than I have been before- at least his job is pretty solid. Even when we trust in God there are still so many lessons to learn.
You are right. Even though we know to trust in God, things can still be difficult and worry can be a battle.
October 8th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Excellent post, Lizzie.
I’ve gradually been putting up extras in the pantry – the common things on my grocery list – when they are on sale, just so I don’t have to pay full price the next time I need it and it’s not on sale. I’ve also started being mindful of little things, like making a nice stack of cleaning rags accessible instead of using paper towels to wipe down the sink and mirrors every day. And Hubs has been packing his lunch instead of buying. Every little bit adds up!
It’s hard not to worry when the economic crisis is all over the news on the TV and radio all.the.time. In our 15 years of marriage, Hubs and I have seen some tough times, financially – with layoffs and career changes. Somehow, by the grace of God, we have always made it through. Once again, I have to have faith that he will continue to provide and watch over us.
You are right that watching the news doesn’t help!
October 8th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Many are in financial need…..many more are in spiritual need….My Lord will supply “ALL” of my needs according to to HIS riches…..please continue to pray for my son-in-law…. and his family he has been out of work since June……God Bless, Pam, South Bend
Pam, you are so right. Still praying for your son in law.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Way to go Lee!!
Good suggestion, too on stocking up. Keeping some ready cash at home is good too–debit card lovers you may be out of luck stash some for “just in case.”
Good point!
October 9th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I am not freeking out. Just praying for everyone who is. One of the PA’s here at my office, her husband works for Morgan Stanley. She’s been freeking out. I have learned the hard way not to freek out over stuff. God is always in control.
Last night at church we leaned about what the Bible says about poverty. That topic has been on the schedule for months. It’s funny how God works, isn’t it?
You’re right and good for you for praying for others.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I do too. I talked a little about Trusting The Lord also today…
Trusting the Lord is the only thing of value we can do anyway!
October 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Yay for Lee. That is how I have been feeling as well – there are folks who would usually say they are the trusting-in-God sort of people, but seem to be quite unsettled by all this.
I also haven’t followed most of the news, though I have read some to try to understand what people are talking about.
The one thought I had was someone said something about – we are all doing worse off than we were 8 years ago, and I don’t particularly think so – though perhaps it has to do with my age, etc.
To me – nothing has changed – God is in control, and if I were trusting in my money, maybe I would feel differently.
Actually, I have taken this whole thing as a great thing – that it showed me that though I struggled a year or two ago about whether I was being foolish to quit my full-time job, or trusting in money or God, etc. and that I have come a long way since then.
Great thoughts, Jon. I don’t think we’re so much worse off than we were 8 years ago either.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Lee is so right!
God is God whether I have extra $ or not. God is God whether the economy is twisted or not.
God is God whether we see the election outcomes we want to see or not.
Like Jon just said, am I trusting in $ or in God?