rising costs and dwindling finances Archives -

Most homes today are challenged with tight budgets.

Food prices and gasoline prices are rising again! Kids’ summer activities means tighter budget-yikes! Mom’s sparing buy clothing at resale shops. The car breaks down and budgets are stretched again; will the stress ever end?

Stop! Does rising costs and dwindling finances really identify your greatest need?

Pause a minute, take a deep breath, and remember it is God who wills to do your good pleasure. Thank Him for the blessings you have. Trust Him for what you do not have, for your needs. He is a God of miracles; look what He did with a few fishes and loaves of bread.

Your immediate need may not be tight budgets reflected in money or things. It may be as simple as time to leave the situation for a few hours to rest and refocus. I am constantly amazing what God can do in and through us when we learn to lean more on Him.

How pausing to refresh made a big difference in our lives.

We recently put everything on the back burner, scratched a few things off our “must have today” list, and invested in a day of play at a local theme park. For us, this is monumental. We seldom just “go out to play” all day. As over-crowded trams continued to fill on this beautiful spring day, I pondered the idea of going back home instead of walking the distance up hill.

“Come on up, we can make room for you here.” The young man smiled gingerly as he shuffled his family around on two facing benches to accommodate us.

“Thanks, but we will crowd you too much; we’ll wait for the next tram.” I thought of how those little bodies must feel anticipating all of me squeezing in beside them. I not only do not walk much, I take up a lot of room (nicely put, don’t you think?)

Before I could say more, he grabbed my hand and lifted me to ‘my’ seat. As I settled in comfortably, his face was aglow as he confidently stated, “I believe sometimes our Loving God simply makes more space to meet our needs”.

Whatever your needs are today, know that God wants to meet them.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

For today, lay aside your burdens, whether financial or other, and go outside and play awhile. It’s good medicine for the soul!

Hugs,