Hello Friends, Today we will discuss one of the biggest issues in relationships/marriage. This is a topic that has caused many quarrels and even divorce. Let me put out the disclaimer; I am not a professional counselor and my opinions are just that. I do not intend to give advice or provide solutions. I am simply sharing what I have done in my home and what I have seen many of my close friends do.
When my husband and I started dating we were both in school and had low-income jobs. We were both honest with each other about our finances and what our plans were for the future. We started doing a budget when we decided to court and get engaged.
One of the things I understood early was my financial expectations and the world's financial expectations. So often there is so much emphasis placed on things that the world would define as necessary for a wedding, growing children, and even the type of home and car one chooses. Satisfying is never easy especially when you feel there may be so many uncertainties or feel inferior. We shouldn't try to keep up with anyone but simply go in the Lord's way and in the Lord's time. I have seen many miracles when we trust the Lord and honor the covenants we made with Him. We don't always get things we desire (aka want), but our immediate needs are always met.
Patience During Rough Times
Acknowledgment of my circumstances and gratitude for what I have has helped me so many times during these 6 years. Do I complain at times, absolutely, the human in me is imperfect and will murmur during the difficult of times, but I pray. Have you ever seen the hands of the Lord in your life? Does He ever remove those hands and what may be the reason(s)? There are countless times that I can share when the Lord provided and when He calmed my heart and brought peace to my mind.
We are women of great faith and great ideas. We can turn any run-down, shabby, old dusty place into a home. We can make a meal out of the simplest and smallest of ingredients, we can make a grand occasion/celebration by just how we entertain, lift, and inspire. The growth is in the gratitude and the patience. So how then can we be patient? It is the attitude while waiting, or when told no. I always remind my husband that 'No' can be a beautiful and loving answer. Sometimes we want something and we want it now, but our dear Father in Heaven cannot give it to us because it will hurt us in the long run or deprive us of the growth we need. We never want to experience failure, loss, disappointment, or rejection. If we experience these things how then does our heart grow? It is a small member but can stretch and grow to accommodate so much. This is the design and will of Heavenly Father, not that we suffer, but that we truly come to know and understand how to become Charitable.
When the times get rough, pray. Pray and seek the Lord's will. I ask myself this question when I face hard times, What would the Lord have me learn at this time, what is the lesson? These lessons are not only for our benefit and development but for the blessing of His children who need us to take time to be holy and worthy.
Patience my friends, He remembers all of us and knows what we need beforehand. Though my husband is the provider in our home, he truly is only able to do so because God provides the opportunity for him. So with this thought, if my husband truly is doing his best and is worthy, then what he brings in is from the Lord and I should be satisfied. The Lord is in the details of our lives, with this view we can lean on Him. I truly believe God is my biggest cheerleader and desires my success. The things that are joyous and eternal require great grit and exertion.
What do I do to become better?
1. Use a budget every month. Stay within the budget. It will work
2. Education and lifelong learning are key to overcoming financial disabilities. Getting an education has always been at the forefront of our minds and we are happily pursuing this great gift. Engage in short courses and training programs. These can provide quick boosts if work and dedication are applied.
3. Research investment opportunities and use mock programs to learn the rules and algorithms of the business world. Google has some good apps that provide learning platforms, eg. Google Fianances teaches you how to use the stock market.
4. Set goals and make plans to start a business.
- Write a short story using apps Like Canva. Sell your book on Amazon.
5. Create a food storage by adding a few items to each grocery haul.
6. Always have a vision board. I keep track of where I want to be and work at it. Each year I set spiritual and temporal goals, sometimes I get almost all my goals but sometimes I do not. I roll them over into the next year and I press on again.
7. We do our best to save our coins for our children. We teach them to save in their little piggies. It can be fun for them to drop in their coins. We started before our first child was born and plan to give them the money when they are 18. Starting early gives us time to put in the work.
These are just some things we do to work within our budget and become financially stable. There will be times when things will not go according to plan, we then counsel together and readjust. The key is to counsel together and to work it out. Seek to express gratitude and smile even when the hard times come, there are happy moments we can reflect on and even create. My family and I learned to make rolls so we come together and use our hands to make not only a meal, but a memory.
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