You've all read my "Dave Ramsey" testimonies. Well, here's another one.
Jade and I are still working hard on being good stewards with our finances. It's still work at this point because I'm not accustomed to being accountable or to keeping up with my money. With every step toward more discipline, though, I feel more peace invading my life.
It's still difficult for me to avoid impulse shopping. It's my worst habit of all. Sometimes I get an overwhelming desire to have something. I just want it, you know? Anyway, I've been wanting this little flag for a long time. They're very popular down here. It's a simple beige yard flag with a black monogram on it. Very pretty.
I've never had a flag in my yard, but I've always wanted one. When I was talking about it with my friend, Sherri, she said, "Hey! I've got an extra flag stake you can have. You want it?" Of course I did!
Well then I immediately wanted to go buy the monogram flag. They're $15.00, and I just didn't have an extra $15.00 to spend on a yard flag. I almost caved in at the Hallmark shop that sells them. I picked up the "S" flag. I held it. I smelled it. I rubbed it on my face (not really, but you get the picture), but I didn't cave in. I just resolved to save up a little of my grocery money for a few weeks and then go buy the flag. Write this one down in the books. Jennifer showed self-control!!!
The next night we went to our Seder meal at the Clement's home. As my friend, Sherri, was walking in, she said, "Hey, I thought you might like this to go on your flag pole." Oh yes, my friend, those are goose bumps on your arm. She handed me the "S" flag.
I was flabbergasted. I asked her, "Did I tell you I wanted one of these? Did we talk about this?" She said, "No, I just saw it and thought you might like it." Like it??? What???
You guys - God loves me. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me! He speaks my love language. How can the God of the universe be so sweet? He made sure little ol' me had a $15.00 "S" flag. And it's not about the "S" flag, of course. It's about the fact that He took time out of His busy God schedule to bless me, to pay attention to me. It's too much.
Another neat thing is how Sherri allowed God to use her to bless me in a way she couldn't even fathom. She believed she was giving me a thoughtful gift, but it was way more. She was giving me a thoughtful gift from the God of the universe! Does that blow your mind? It should. "The Lord longs to be gracious to you...
