As many of you know, John and I have been working on Dave Ramsey's financial plan for the last year and a half or so. It has been so amazing to see God working in our finances. The first thing that amazed me was how much further our money seemed to go. Even though we were making the same amount of money, under Dave's (really God's plan), it was like we had more money at the end of the month than what we had in previous months. It was wonderful! We have also seen God move in ways that we would not have imagined! He has miraculously shortened the time line for our savings goal by months! We are actually looking at hitting our goal by next month! John and I have been so excited about this and have been looking forward to this time next month for what feels like an eternity. Just over a year ago, it felt like it wouldn't come and it's almost here!
As a boost to myself, I've picked up and began re-reading Dave's book Total Money Makeover. It's been great to re-read the stories of people just like us making their financial dreams come true on this plan. I was having a relaxing afternoon reading the book while I was working on our laundry today (it's such a fast read I'm already halfway through it and I just picked it back up a couple of days ago). Then tragedy struck. The dryer broke. Enter anxiety. I had just finished reading a part of the book that says when an emergency happens and you tap into your emergency fund, quit working on the step that you're on and go back to replenish your emergency fund and about how "Murphy" of Murphy's law typically leaves town when you've got more money in the bank (apparently he only likes broke people). A broken dryer apparently is an emergency, and it seems only fitting that Murphy would try to stop in for a visit when we are so close to our goal.
Thankfully, I have a resourceful husband. :) We quickly got on the web to try to diagnose the problem. With a little bit of research, he was able to determine that the thermal fuse blew out. We've got another one ordered and on it's way. It should be here before we need to do laundry next week. Hopefully, it will fix our problem and we can get some more mileage out of our current washer and dryer. After spending some time revisiting the principals of our financial plan, I really don't want to spend the money to buy a new dryer (even the beautiful front loaders in blue that I want, with the pedestals to hide all our laundry accessories). For now, I will hold out hope that the dryer is fixable. I feel like that we are just too close to our goal to have to deal with some major expenses like that.
Congrats for nearing your goal... I don't care too much for Murphy either. It is amazing what God does when you obey. The math does not seem to match the reality, when you are faithful with your tithes and offerings. God more than supplied our financial needs when we faced a prolonged time of unemployment. And when that season was over He not only replaced the amount we had to use from our savings, He blessed us with and abundance. In Malachi 3:10 God tells us to "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this" says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that your will not have room enough for it." There is a Minster, to whom I am very close, that says if you do not tithe and give offerings you will always live in the land of "not enough". It is so true that if you are faithful to obey, then God will be faithful to His promise. I get so excited when I think and share about the goodness of God. It's my desire that others will come to the knowledge, that they don't have to live in the world of lack... not only fiancial lack... but the lack of love... the lack of confidence...the lack of security... the lack of peace. Opps... I guess I need to step out of the pulpit.... Anyway, I am sure that your drier will be up and running again soon. And again congrats on nearing your financial Goal... Luv and Peace..
ReplyDelete