Post by SunnyGirl on Nov 21, 2003 13:36:07 GMT -5
TODAY'S THOUGHT - FRIDAY , NOVEMBER 21, 2003
From the book: The Language Of Letting Go.
Financial Fears
I sat in the car, looking at the sign on the door of
the food shelf office: "Closed until Friday." It was
Wednesday. I had two hungry children and myself;
I had no money.
I laid my head on the steering wheel. I couldn't take
it anymore. I had been so strong, so brave, so trusting
for so long. I was a single parent with two children,
recently divorced. I had worked so courageously at
being grateful for what I had, while setting financial
goals and working at believing I deserved the best.
I had put up with so much poverty, so much deprivation.
Daily, I worked the Eleventh Step. I worked so hard at
praying for knowledge of God's will for me only, and the
power to carry it through. I believed I was doing what I
needed to do in my life. I wasn't lollygagging. I was
doing my best, working my hardest. And there just
wasn't enough money. Life had been a struggle in many
ways, but the financial struggle seemed endless.
Money isn't everything, but it takes money to solve
certain problems. I was sick of "letting go" and "letting
go" and "letting go." I was sick of "acting as if" I had
enough money.
I was tired of having to work so hard daily at letting go
of the pain and fear about not having enough. I was
tired of working so hard at being happy without having
enough.
Actually, most of the time I was happy. I had found my
soul in poverty. But now that I had my soul and my self,
I wanted some money too.
While I sat in the car trying to compose myself, I heard
God speak to me in that silent, still voice that whispers
gently to our souls.
"You don't ever have to worry about money again, child.
Not unless you want to. I told you that I would take
care of you. And I will."
Great, I thought. Thanks a lot. I believe you. I trust you.
But look around. I have no money. I have no food. And
the food shelf is closed. You've let me down.
Again I heard His voice in my soul: "You don't have to
worry about money again. You don't have to be afraid.
I promised to meet all your needs.
I went home, called a friend, and asked to borrow some
money. I hated borrowing, but I had no choice. My
breakdown in the car was a release, but it didn't solve
a thing - that day. There was no check in the mailbox.
But I got food for the day. And the next day. And the
next.
Within six months, my income doubled. Within nine
months, it tripled. Since that day, I have had hard times,
but I have never had to go without - not for more than
a moment in time.
Now, I have enough. Sometimes I still worry about
money because that seems to be habitual. But now I
know I don't have to, and I know I never did.
God, help me work hard at what I believe is right for me
in my life today, and I'll trust You for the rest. Help me
let go of my fears about money. Help me turn that area
over to You. God. Take away the blocks and barriers in
my life to financial success.
-Melody Beattie
From the book: The Language Of Letting Go.
Financial Fears
I sat in the car, looking at the sign on the door of
the food shelf office: "Closed until Friday." It was
Wednesday. I had two hungry children and myself;
I had no money.
I laid my head on the steering wheel. I couldn't take
it anymore. I had been so strong, so brave, so trusting
for so long. I was a single parent with two children,
recently divorced. I had worked so courageously at
being grateful for what I had, while setting financial
goals and working at believing I deserved the best.
I had put up with so much poverty, so much deprivation.
Daily, I worked the Eleventh Step. I worked so hard at
praying for knowledge of God's will for me only, and the
power to carry it through. I believed I was doing what I
needed to do in my life. I wasn't lollygagging. I was
doing my best, working my hardest. And there just
wasn't enough money. Life had been a struggle in many
ways, but the financial struggle seemed endless.
Money isn't everything, but it takes money to solve
certain problems. I was sick of "letting go" and "letting
go" and "letting go." I was sick of "acting as if" I had
enough money.
I was tired of having to work so hard daily at letting go
of the pain and fear about not having enough. I was
tired of working so hard at being happy without having
enough.
Actually, most of the time I was happy. I had found my
soul in poverty. But now that I had my soul and my self,
I wanted some money too.
While I sat in the car trying to compose myself, I heard
God speak to me in that silent, still voice that whispers
gently to our souls.
"You don't ever have to worry about money again, child.
Not unless you want to. I told you that I would take
care of you. And I will."
Great, I thought. Thanks a lot. I believe you. I trust you.
But look around. I have no money. I have no food. And
the food shelf is closed. You've let me down.
Again I heard His voice in my soul: "You don't have to
worry about money again. You don't have to be afraid.
I promised to meet all your needs.
I went home, called a friend, and asked to borrow some
money. I hated borrowing, but I had no choice. My
breakdown in the car was a release, but it didn't solve
a thing - that day. There was no check in the mailbox.
But I got food for the day. And the next day. And the
next.
Within six months, my income doubled. Within nine
months, it tripled. Since that day, I have had hard times,
but I have never had to go without - not for more than
a moment in time.
Now, I have enough. Sometimes I still worry about
money because that seems to be habitual. But now I
know I don't have to, and I know I never did.
God, help me work hard at what I believe is right for me
in my life today, and I'll trust You for the rest. Help me
let go of my fears about money. Help me turn that area
over to You. God. Take away the blocks and barriers in
my life to financial success.
-Melody Beattie
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.