I have really been struggling recently with money, but who isn't?! I have been very selfish at times and have wanted to spend it how I think we should spend it. In fact, while putting together our budget, I left tithing for last. If we had any money left over, we would give it to the church. This would be after all our bills were paid and some spent on personal items. Some Sundays we didn't give anything because of poor planning. I'm definitely not proud of this, but it's a very real issue in our lives.
Over the past few weeks, the sermon series at our church (canvaschurch.net) entitled "Mine, All Mine" has really convicted me. The sermon on "My Money" really hit home. Instead of putting God first and giving to Him first, we were actually giving to him LAST! How selfish is that?! So, with our last paycheck, we put our trust in God and gave our 10% as our first expenditure instead of our last.
Luke 6:30 says, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
I am already starting to see this good measure in our lives. On a good week at work, I have been getting about 18-20 patients (I get paid by the patient). By the end of the week it's looking like I will have seen 30 patients this week. Praise God! I want to encourage each of you to put your trust in the Lord and He will prevail!
I'll spare you any pictures with this post! Before I was headed back to work, I decided that I would go ahead and start dinner. That way, all Erik had to do was heat it up before he went to class tonight. I was thinking I was being such a good wife, mindlessly chopping the onions, when all of a sudden..... the knife slipped! I have never been in so much pain in my life. I had a gaping hole in my thumb. I was screaming and crying hysterically because it hurt so bad. Erik pulled me over to the sink and began rinsing my wound out. Meanwhile, Luna scurried over to me and got between me and the sink and leaned on me while I was crying. Only 3 months old and she was so concerned about me. It was like she knew what was going on! Such an awesome puppy!
After putting a paper towel over my thumb and applying pressure to it, he had to sit down and take some deep breaths. He was going to get sick himself. He couldn't stand seeing me in such agony! A paramedic, who has probably seen worse things couldn't bear to see his wife in pain. I am so very fortunate to have the husband that I do! God has truly blessed me by placing him in my life!
I called work to tell them what was going on and they urged me to stay home, against my own will. Afterall, I am a massage therapist and it would be pretty difficult to massage without using my thumb. So, Alas I sit at home with a gimp thumb and my very loving husband and puppy!
It's amazing how one little situation can teach you so much about life and about yourself. Today, I felt a little adventurous so I went to the equestrian center to swim laps in the pool. I had a set routine in my mind and did not want to be bothered. I simply wanted to do my swim and be on my way. God had other plans for me today.
Shortly into my swim, a very cute 6 year old girl asked me what I was doing. I grudgingly said, "I'm swimming laps," and hoped that she would just let me finish this lap. She responded, "No what are you doing? Are you swimming backwards?" I patiently explained to her that it was called the backstroke and taught her how to do it. I told her to swim with me, but it was too hard for her to keep up. So, I thought I was in the clear and I could peacefully continue my swim. Midway through my next lap, this cute girl appeared behind me struggling to catch up to me. I soon realized that she really wanted me to show her how to swim. I taught her the butterfly stroke, breaststroke, sidestroke, backstroke and freestyle. Before I realized it, I swam 950 yards!
Things that I learned today:
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."
10. He has a good work ethic and has compassion for others.
9. He has dinner ready for me when I get home from work!
8. He makes me laugh.
7. He is a Godly man.
6. He willingly makes a grocery run for aleve and ice cream if I don't feel well.
5. He is the next Lance Armstrong.
4. He makes me feel special.
3. When he is at work, he calls just to say "hi."
I am an instrument of the living God
My life a melody to His name.
More than the songs I sing
Worship is everything
I live to glorify my King
Hear the song of my life
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
I raise this anthem high
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Through all the mire and clay
You're washing me with grace
You carry me, oh Lord, through it all
So I will testify even in the fire
I live to praise my Savior
I just love this song, "Sweet Sweet Sound" by Sarah Reeves. It seems very relevant for this phase of my life. I love to sing, but more than that I love to worship and inspire others to worship with me. I pray that every note that I sing will glorify God and that he will be able to use me to further His kingdom. Music has always been my refuge and I hope to share my voice for many days to come!
This weekend we went up to the farm for Brian and Sarah's wedding. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. It's always a good time up at the farm. Our car keys had a mind of their own and decided to hide out in Austin's car for the whole weekend. Maybe that means we should spend more time up at the farm.... I would be ok with that! 
