Tuesdays IOW ~ Living

"If you'll live like no one else, then later you can live like no one else."
Dave Ramsey

A few years ago we were given the opportunity to take the course from Dave Ramsey, and it really opened our eyes to see just how we were living and how we really wanted to live. Not just from a financial viewpoint, but from a Christian viewpoint as well. It was shortly after we had finished the course that Eric an myself started to really have conversations about me not working. We started putting all of our money into that goal. We also started feeling that our family was not complete..... so we started trying to get pregnant again.... after 8 years. Most of our family thought we had gone nuts! But we felt certain God wanted us to go down this path that few trod....


Pro 4:26 (ESV) Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.


Then Satan started throwing disasters in our path..... the leadership at the congregation we had attended for so long was changing and teaching things that were contrary to what we read in the Bible.... and after many talks, questions being unanswered by the leadership, and lots of prayers we left to look for a new church home. (And that is when we placed membership at Lomax.) A few months thereafter, we also found out we were expecting and withing a few weeks of making the announcement, I lost the baby. Let's just say we were taking some heavy spiritual losses during that time. The pain of our loss was so very hard to bear..... and it was taking its toll on our marriage. We sought help.

It was during this time (just about 3 months after losing our baby) that Eric decided he did not want me to work any longer. He asked me to put in my notice. ....... and I did. The next year was a great adjustment to me.... I had never stayed at home before.... I had always had a job.... since my junior year of high school I had worked outside the home. I even went back to work part time during that year as a substitute teacher. But I soon lost interest in working even part time because ........ I became an expectant mother again!

Then during my last few months of pregnancy, Eric felt the need to move. He needed to be away from here. So we put the house on the market and sought out places to move to...... We found a good place just one county over (about an hours drive away) and packed up all of our things and left. We felt it was a good move.... felt we were on the right path once more.... found a new church home and brought Jed home shortly after......

Satan once more thought to jar us........ Eric lost his job. We were away from family, now had 4 children (one, just a baby) and now we were looking at no income.

But for every setback we have endured, GOD has provided. How wonderful are HIS blessings and how wonderful it is to see HIM work in our lives!

Jas 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.



Over a year later we are back and attending Lomax once more...... involved more than ever and joyful in our service. God has provided Eric a job and we are in a new home. I am still at home and we have been blessed with such wonderful children.

The lessons learned over the last few years have been at times difficult, at times humbling, and at times joyful. Our family has grown closer and our lives have been greatly enriched by opportunities God has set before us. We have learned that God will do whatever it takes to teach better understanding and true wisdom..... and that as long as we stay dependent on HIM..... He will see us through each trial of life.

Today we live a more simple life than what we did a few short years ago.... we look to the simple pleasures of life rather than the need for material gratification. We have learned that true joy in life comes from serving God.

2Ch 26:5 (ESV) He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.



We have learned that truly living like no one else, really causes you to live like no one else.



Thanks to Amy for hosting this week's IOW.