Fending Spreeze

Our family is on a fending spreeze.  Now before you go thinking I need a spelling tutor, let me explain.  My dad, who is quite funny (don't worry, I'm not gossiping; he, himself, will tell you he's funny) often mixes up words and phrases when he's frustrated or a little too quick-tongued.  We enjoy repeating his mix-ups to remind him of his funniness.   Last year when my husband needed emergency surgery we were on a spending freeze until we knew the outcome of many bills.  My dad, lending his humor, coined it the "fending spreeze".

We have reentered the fending spreeze zone.  And I'm rejoicing.  I do often occasionally ask God what's up or why, but He always brings me back to His perfect peace.  He is my provider and there is much rejoicing when I focus on the One who has provided me my very salvation and so much more.  With our family's variable income, we keep a close eye on the budget.  Exact budgeting is simply not possible for us and we're okay with that.  There are those that would say that my husband should get a 9-5.  There are those that think because our income doesn't always allow for x, y, & z that it's not enough.  How could we be happy without x, y, & z??  While there may be some fun to be had in the x, y, & z, if it's not what we can do (without debt), I can be content without it.  Let me say that I have no problems with steady jobs or paychecks or the enjoyment or purpose in having such.  But something about predictable money takes the reliance on God out of the equation for me.  I cherish what the unpredictability of our income does to our stewardship and purposeful spending/saving.  I cherish how God has moved mountains and hearts to blow our minds with His provision.

I wonder, in this nation, if incomes, job statuses, and the "security" they bring has become an idol.  Security certainly has the potential to be idolized.  During my husband's emergency surgery and recovery I realized that I idolized security in the form of my husband.  See, he's my rock.  He's my man.  He works hard!  He fixes all things.  He builds.  He gardens.  He cherishes me.  And he loves his girls.  I was not prepared to lose my security, my Bruce.  I'm still not!!!  But God clearly showed me that what I need is Him and that He will be my all, my rock and my strength no matter who is or isn't in my life. 

God gave my sweet husband skillful hands and an amazing ingenuity and understanding for fixing and building.  Bruce has a drive to be outdoors, to solve problems (logical ones, not womanly ones!), to fix and to build.  That talent has given him the platform to help many in need and even keep my Dad's halogen lamp working or build my Mom's raised gardening tubs.  Bruce will gladly share what he knows and he will joyfully teach you and will willingly use his hands to bless others.  Naturally, his "job" should involve his skillful hands.  It does.  How awesome is that?  My husband gets to do what he loves, what he was made to do every day.  Even if he never leaves our house to "work", he's at home working.  Do we want more business?  Sure!   Do we pray for more business?  Definitely!  Do I frequently ask God to affirm and lead our choices?  Yes!  Are we supposed to be obsessively coming up with ways to make more money?  No!  God is our provider!  Money just pays the bills.  I wouldn't trade our occasional fending spreezes for all the 9-5's and x, y, z's in the world!