It used to be my favorite color. Well, really, it still is. But, I don't like when I see it on our budget sheet.
Our story isn't unique. It isn't unlike many of yours. Unfortunately. These are hard times. And to be honest, I'm a bit glad. Don't get me wrong. I'm not glad that the threat of losing our house looms like a dark shadow in the back of my brain daily. I'm not glad that friends are having to foreclose. I'm not glad that so many are out of work. No, for that, I'm not glad.
But, I am glad that my focus has narrowed. That the things that really matter have become more clear. I'm glad that I don't want to be the Joneses anymore. I'm glad that my eyes have been opened.
Now, don't get me wrong. I still love to make my house look nice. I drive a big car. I enjoy nights out and expensive coffee. But, my perspective on all that has changed. I don't take those things for granted. I am more cautious now about how I spend and what I'm spending it on. And I want to do better. To simplify. To give more. To teach my children that living in excess doesn't equate to happiness. How to teach them that while living in America-I haven't a clue.
I have no idea what it is to live in the red. Really. Bottom line is that I have a home. I have food. If my family needs medical attention, we get it. Etc., etc.
I'm not writing this as eloquently as I had hoped. Eloquent and me probably shouldn't even be in the same room. I am blessed. I am grateful. And if living in the red financially causes me to live by the red (letters that is) more faithfully, than bring it. Because we can all use more red in our lives. Don't you agree?
4 comments :
I agree. January is the month of RED at our house. But still, I'm grateful that we have a house and all the other things we need. There are people who work far more hours than we do who still don't have that. Very sad.
Love this post...I agree totally. It is very hard to teach our kids about this, but I try my best! I am a firm believer that times in the valley bring us to the tops of mountains.
I think it is so hard to teach kids this and yet so important. We took in two little homeless girls for awhile a few months ago and when they arrived with EVERYTHING they owned in ONE suitcase, it was a real eye opener for my boys.
well said, sara.
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