This Saturday will mark my husband, Nathan and my 6 year wedding anniversary.  So, I wanted to re-post a topic from my old blog in honor of this occasion.  This was something I learned the hard way our first year of marriage.  I tweaked the previous post a little, but the lesson is the same.  I hope you enjoy.

This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way in my marriage. But first, a little bit of background to better understand the circumstance… My husband and I are complete opposites: he is an extravert and I am an introvert, he is a feeler and I am a thinker, he voices his dreams and I prefer to only voice them if I can see a possibility of it happening right now (would that even be considered a dream? Or just a wanted reality?). Anyways, it was an interesting first year of marriage to say the least. Fast forward almost 6 years later and we understand each other so much better!

But here is the lesson I want to share. Soon after we got married I can remember freaking out, yet again, over our finances. We had two ER visits in a month and were sick and constantly in the doctor’s office. I couldn’t seem to let go of my tight rein over the cash in our envelope system (we adopted some of Dave Ramsey’s recommendations which works for us, but remember you gotta figure out what works best for you and your family), always asking him exactly the dollar amount spent on things, and constantly checking our bank account online, afraid of an overdraft that wasn’t even going to happen, ect. It was getting ridiculous.

My worrying and obsessing over our budget was definitely sinful, and I realized that at the time… But what I didn’t realize was  another sin I was committing at the same time: my lack of submission that was ultimately brought on my lack of trust in my husband in this area of finances. And then I also realized this later: My lack of submission and trust in my husband was an indicator of my lack of submission and trust in the Lord.

Ouch.

So I swallowed my pride, my sinful desire to control my marriage and my husband, and I confessed to him and to God of this realization and asked for forgiveness. My husband is amazing and full of grace, and we have been so blessed in our marriage to be faced with obstacles that forced us to see that God, not a paycheck, is our Provider. As long as we do our part by working hard in whatever job it may be He has called us to (minister, stay at home mom, teacher, police officer, ect) and stay obedient with our giving, He will provide.

Here is my favorite Scripture to reflect on about this subject:
Matthew 6:25-34 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin, yet I say to you not even Solomon in all of his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying ‘What will we eat?’ Or ‘What will we drink?’ Or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly see all these things; for your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Did you catch the last couple of verses?  You should have, but I emphasized them for you.  This is not a prosperity Gospel teaching by any means, but a reminder that if we truly seek God first He will provide our daily needs.

So, this is a side note, but I love that my wedding bouquet had stargazer lilies in it.  See?

Ah, how refreshing! What a good reminder! Now I challenge you, truly search your heart and ask yourself: Is there an area I am not trusting God with completely? Feel free to share and I would love to come alongside and pray and encourage you.

Let go and prepare for the journey ahead.