Tiffany and I drove down to Oregon this last Sunday for my little brother’s birthday. As we approached Vancouver Tiffany commented that she is really happy that we have the life we do, that at the last minute we could throw together a trip to go see family, and that God has blessed us in a way that we could get dinner with Trevor and not be worried that we wouldn’t be able to pay our rent.
You see, growing up Tiffany and I both had single moms that did all they could to take care of us. That being said, we both remember the times during our lives when spending any money was pretty stressful. I remember my mom once being stressed about how to even pay for groceries. Not that we weren’t provided for, or that she did anything wrong. It’s just that two kids and a place to live are a lot for one income. In Tiffany’s case there were a lot more than two kids.
I thought about just how amazing it is for both of us to have ended up where we are: College-educated and working, paying our bills, and able to enjoy a spontaneous trip for my brother’s birthday. It made me reflect on how Tiff and I frequently explain how we managed college “alone”--but we both realize that we hardly did it alone. It was surely on the back of our families that we were even able to manage.
For instance, my dad let me live with him while I was in school, which I believe saved about $40,000 in room & board. In addition to that he decided to continue my child support until I hit age 21, despite not being legally required to do so. Both of these things are THE reason I was able to finish college. Tiffany explains how her foster parents got her through college emotionally, financially and spiritually. You get the picture.
All too often we get into our routines and our work and we stop noticing the help that comes from all directions. You see, God is continually blessing us, and too often we feel like WE are the ones pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps to make things work.
Hardly!
This week take a look around as you manage rent, bills, and as you do whatever it is you do. How is God blessing and keeping you? How can you reach out and be that blessing to those around you? Remember that we are the body of Christ. My prayer for you is that, as you see the blessings God has put in your life, you are persuaded to pull out all the stops and try to help someone you know or meet in the same way.
- Cody Rousseau
You see, growing up Tiffany and I both had single moms that did all they could to take care of us. That being said, we both remember the times during our lives when spending any money was pretty stressful. I remember my mom once being stressed about how to even pay for groceries. Not that we weren’t provided for, or that she did anything wrong. It’s just that two kids and a place to live are a lot for one income. In Tiffany’s case there were a lot more than two kids.
I thought about just how amazing it is for both of us to have ended up where we are: College-educated and working, paying our bills, and able to enjoy a spontaneous trip for my brother’s birthday. It made me reflect on how Tiff and I frequently explain how we managed college “alone”--but we both realize that we hardly did it alone. It was surely on the back of our families that we were even able to manage.
For instance, my dad let me live with him while I was in school, which I believe saved about $40,000 in room & board. In addition to that he decided to continue my child support until I hit age 21, despite not being legally required to do so. Both of these things are THE reason I was able to finish college. Tiffany explains how her foster parents got her through college emotionally, financially and spiritually. You get the picture.
All too often we get into our routines and our work and we stop noticing the help that comes from all directions. You see, God is continually blessing us, and too often we feel like WE are the ones pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps to make things work.
Hardly!
This week take a look around as you manage rent, bills, and as you do whatever it is you do. How is God blessing and keeping you? How can you reach out and be that blessing to those around you? Remember that we are the body of Christ. My prayer for you is that, as you see the blessings God has put in your life, you are persuaded to pull out all the stops and try to help someone you know or meet in the same way.
- Cody Rousseau