Walking the line

When does taking action or planning for the future become taking matters into your own hands? Is it a lack of trust that God will work or provide when you plan for the future? I was thinking about this today as I discussed the issue with a friend. We are both the types to "always be prepared". Watch out boy scouts... If you are the type you know what I mean. You have a list for everything you might ever need to pack for a trip. In fact its all probably ready to go in a pre-packed rubbermaid or suitcase. You know, know all the options, have the best one worked out along with 2-3 more in your back pocket just in case. You research all your options when you need to buy something big and you always shop around for the best deal.

But sometimes all those preparations can just turn into a scary struggle with CONTROL in our lives. We have this drive to always know what is coming next. If we could just see up around the bend, then it would be all ok. We could just relax. I don't know about you but I hate reading the ends of books. I don't want to know how it will turn out, I want to go along for the ride and be surprised at the beautiful ending. I trust the author. DON'T tell me how it ends!!!

So then why when things go all awry and the unknown is before me do I start planning, researching, back up planning and most of all worrying. I did this last year when we had looming layoffs at work. What would I do? Where would I go? The questions seemed unrelenting and the answers didn't come floating down from above. Its those times when we are uncertain of the future and we just don't know what will come tomorrow that we are tested in our trust in the provision and guidance of our God. Do we trust that he has a fantastic journey and ending for us? Why can't we just go along with the story? Why do we want to spoil it? Isn't he the author of the best story we'll ever know?

We are supposed to be good steward's of our money, time and resources, but how does that fit with reliance on our good Father, the Provider? I'm so black and white sometimes it is hard to dwell in the gray for even a small time. Matthew 6 is all about relying on God for our provision.

Matthew 6:34
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Focus on seeking his kingdom first. God knows what we need. Live in today.

That's hard when I am not so happy in today and my hope is that tomorrow will be better. Are we limiting ourselves in our ability to see God by our unending focus on the future? I can't help but think that much of our practical preparations are waste and distraction. I think I might be finally getting it. Oh, the thought gives me ulcers... but maybe eventually it will give me freedom too.

A New Favorite

God gives amazing and wonderful gifts. It can't be denied! Today I held the most precious and beautiful little baby girl in my arms. She's not only a gift to her parents, but she is the gift of hope to those of us who participated in the journey on the way.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." -Proverbs 13:12.

We all prayed for this baby and pleaded that God would grant our prayers for our friends. He is faithful, the God who hears and sees us.

What I love most is this little one's name, Hannah. I adore this story in 1 Samuel because I identify so much with Hannah. She pours out her heart to the Lord and he remembers her. In her thanksgiving she gives her son back to serve the Lord and he ends up leading and counseling the influential people of his time.

“Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there. -1 Samuel 1:26-28

So we thank our God for answering of our prayers, and we dedicate this beauty back to the Lord to be used for his glory!

What a gift that we can participate corporately in the prayers of the one's we love, we pray for their heart's desires and they pray for ours. Seeing their fulfillment leads to our encouragement that he will do the same for us and it binds us together. The season of Thanksgiving never ends.

Today I was reminded again of the best gift we were ever given, the gift of grace in Christ. A gift beyond what we could imagine or desire (Eph 3:20). God knows what we need, when we need it and he gives it generously! I trust the Lord. I hope this encourages you to trust Him also, and trust His people to lift you up and participate in life with you.

P.S. If you get the title reference I am proud of you...

I love shopping in all forms!

Today my shopping was purely for essential items, but its fun because I now challenge myself to get as much as I can for my money. Oh and some things to share with the community too. I logged on and checked for the Walgreen's deals of the week. I was excited to see there was a $5 off $25 coupon. Then I started clipping and strategizing. Walgreen's usually takes two trips. One to get the Register Rewards, which are like cash coupons toward your next purchase, and second trip to use the rewards. Here's what I got in round one.

Here's what I got:

3 Crest toothpastes/ 1Oral B toothbrush- 4 for $10 WG deal along with $5 Register Rewards, I used 3 manufacturer's coupons for $1.75 off. Total cost: $8.25 with $5 RR= $3.25 that's $0.81 or so per item (WOOHOO!)

Listerine Smart Rinse and Agent Cool (not for me, I'm giving this away)- 2 for $8 WG deal along with $3 RR, I had a buy one get one free manufacturer's coupon. Total cost: $4 with $3 RR= $1 that's $0.50 per item!

Sudafed PE (18ct) and Tylenol Sinus (20ct) to stock up for the cold season- $4.99 each along with $5 RR and I had a $2 coupon for the Sudafed and a $1 coupon for the Tylenol. Total cost: $6.98 with $5RR, that's about $1 each

Pampers Swaddlers and Wipes (Again not for me! Giving away.)- Diapers were $8.99 WG deal with $1 RR, and Wipes were $2.99 and I had a coupon for free wipes with the diapers. Total cost: $8.99 with $1RR that's about $8 for the lot.

Maybelline Lipsticks (2) were $7.49 each and Buy One Get One free at WG not to mention there was an additional Walgreen's deal for the day for an extra $2 off. I couldn't pass this up even though it wasn't on my original list. Total cost: $5.49 about $2.75 a piece!

Goody Ouchless Hairbands were $2.99 and $2RR (at this price, why not?!). Total cost: $2.99 with $2RR at $.99

Total it all up and take off the $5 off $25 coupon for the day

Total Bill: $30.70, $31.77 in coupons and savings and it yielded $14 in Register Rewards to use on round two

Round Two- The other necessities I needed that didn't give RR's. The key to round two is that you can only do one coupon per item at Walgreens on average. You can have more than one coupon per item (stacking) but you'll need some items with no coupons. RR's count as a coupon. Here's what I got and how:

Covergirl Tinted Moisturizer (a fav) and Mascara (much needed) were $7.99 each and Buy One Get One %50 off. Total Cost: $11.98 about $6 each

Skintimate Shave Gel was $2 for $5 with a WG coupon and then I had a $1.50 off 2 manufacturer's coupon. Total Cost: $3.50 or $1.75 each

Venus Razor's were both about $6 and I had two coupons for $2 off each. Total Cost: $8 or $4 each.

Playtex tampons (sorry boys but its part of the deal) were $4.99 with $1 manufacturer's coupon. Total Cost: $3.99

Dawn Dish Soap (10.2 oz) with WG coupon $.99 and manufacturer's coupon for $.25. Total Cost: $.74

2 Ziploc Baggies (gallon and sandwich) were 2 for $5 and manufacturer's coupon for $1 off two. Total Cost: $4 or $2 each

2 Pantene Nature Fusion (12.6 oz) were supposed to be $2.99 each but I didn't catch them ringing up at $3.33 each with a $1 off 2 manufacturer's coupon. Total Cost: $5.66 or $2.80 each (should have been $2.50 each!)

Cottonelle 4pk Dbl Roll was $3.49 with $1 manufacturer's coupon. Total Cost: $2.49

Stuff I just needed and got with RR's overage: Bounty- $2.19, Angel Soft 9 Rl- $4, Barilla Pasta-$3

Total Bill: $33.55, $41.69 in coupons and savings! If I had remembered to ask for the $5 off $25 deal and the Pantene misprice it would have been $27.95 (oh well)

After this I went to Safeway and got a HUGE amount of groceries for $51 with $35 in savings (40%), all in all a successful day!