I’m continuing a series of short pieces on abundance (this is the third, click through to read the first two: In the Garden and Sowing and Reaping). Sunday evenings and Monday mornings can often be a time of anxiety for me as I worry that I, we, won’t have what we need for the week ahead. What are you needing as you head into this week?
* * * * * *
God has given us another crazy idea for the summer – the idea of hosting a meal every week in our home, providing a main dish and, more importantly, a place for people to be. This is the seed.
But I worry so and fight against planting it. Money feels tight this summer as we whittle down through our savings, each withdrawal advancing the date at which I’ll need to return to paid work. I argue with God endlessly.
“There won’t be enough,” I tell God. “How can we feed others when I feel, weekly, the pressure of feeding my own?”
But God won’t be cowed and keeps pushing the seed of the idea gently and firmly into my palm. “Just plant it,” God says, “See what happens. Isn’t it possible there’s more to this than what you can see?” I finally let go and drop the seed into the ground to see what will come of it.
* * * * * *
I head out to the grocery store to prepare for our first dinner. I am resolved to make a sweet potato and black bean dish, minus the chicken to cut the cost. Despite having consented to plant the seed, I am distracted by the weeds of doubt that crop up dense around it and remain unsure that I’ll have what’s needed to water it.
As I rush through the store, pinching my pennies, my little white envelope of cash labeled “groceries” peaking out of my purse, I kid you not, I hear this over the loud speaker, “Hello, Giant food customers, Rotisserie Chickens are now buy one get one free, that’s right, buy one get one free, as long as supplies last.”
The message is so clear, it might as well have been the voice of God.
I stop where I am in the aisle, still counting the cost of chicken, then turn and head toward the rotisserie stand. There are two other women there, pulling in their harvest of half-price chicken, their unexpected good fortune. I’m trying hard to hide it, but I know God’s laughing at the fun of it all, at my exasperatingly slow ability to get the message that abundance, not scarcity, is the norm in God’s kingdom.
I,so often, can put myself in your shoes. (minus one kid, of course 🙂
And yes, we finally get to converse even if it is online 🙂
P.S. You also might have encouraged me to "think" about blogging. I realize that as a stay at home mom that I have a lot of thoughts roaming around in my head with no place to go. Maybe in a blog would be a great place to put those thoughts. I've really enjoyed reading,laughing and relating to your posts!
What a blessing and yes, very funny how God works in mysterious ways. My aunt always says, "He's never early but he's always on time." That saying has stuck with me over the past few years and has allowed me to (somewhat) relax with the knowledge that things will always work out in one way or another, even at the last moments when we least expect them.
– Nichele
PS. I used to have a blog about making money from home online. It was fairly successful until my life got flipped around a few years ago. Reading your blog is very inspiring. I worked as a writer from home back in those blogging days. I have been saying that I will return to writing once my son is in school and I can find the time to focus on it again. Reading your entries makes me wonder in amazement at how you manage all of your daily motherhood duties (and life in general) plus keep a very thought-provoking blog that is well worth the read.
Have you ever tried to earn a little extra money through your writing online? Or have you ever used a "GPT" (Get Paid To) website?
Since my blogging days back in 2007, I have used this site in particular: http://www.cashcrate.com/312041 to make a little bit extra every month. The woman who referred me is the author of this blog –> http://www.mydebtfreegoal.com/ (She was $72,000 in debt with 4 children at the time and has long since paid everything off using only the internet.)
One of my CashCrate referrals also runs a very popular blog and now brings in thousands every month (just through his own referrals). Amy of My Debt Free Goal has been bringing in thousands over the last few years as well. Now, I wish I could say the same for myself – but – in 5 years (and minimal effort) I have made $1,938.10. Even when I have only earned $20/month (enough to earn a check), that tiny bit of money has helped me tremendously. I just wanted to share that with you because it may be something you can make a little extra with if you can dedicate a small portion of your time. I made $54 in my first 2 weeks there and $88 my first full month. If you join, kindly use my referral link and if you should need any help, I'd be glad to lend advice 🙂