Dear Lord or Lady You (insert your name),
I know that it’s really hard right now. It’s the summertime and all of your friends are taking crazy awesome vacations.
Constantly on Facebook, they post pictures of beaches and trendy restaurants.
They post that they’ve seen every. single. summer. blockbuster.
Some Twice.
They’ve gone to the nearest theme park four or five times at least.
Their kids are playing travel sports and let’s face it they look both more fashionable and cleaner than your kids.
And oh yeah, the cute sunglasses, the latest maxi dress, and the adorable shoes everyone else has, they all evade you.
And there you sit . . . In your ripped gym shorts with that shirt that has a big ugly stain on it from your last pregnancy when you had a hard time eating and drinking without leaving a trail. You’re all intense on saving every penny and chucking it toward slaying your own personal Debt Dragon.
The bank account has some money in it, but it feels kind of bleak in your house. You’re plowing through the summer months by going to the library, running through the sprinkler, and playing board games. Sometimes the kids notice that you don’t live the way everyone else does. Sometimes they don’t. But you’re keeping a happy and brave face, knowing that someday you can bless them with more than what you’re able to give them right now. However in a lot of ways you feel shackled to your own castle, with a yearning to roam free in the summer sunshine.
I spent four summers feeling just the way you do now. In some ways, it was difficult but in others, I now realize it helped me sort out all sorts of issues I had about money.
Obviously, we were working toward the goal of being debt free – which 4 years and $127K later we are (thank you Jesus). And so we had money issues that bled red.
But there were greater issues in my heart – issues of contentment, greed, jealousy, envy, and a long and monotonous whine of “It’s not fair!” which would cost my children most of their earthly possessions if it had traveled of their mouths.
I learned the value of simply being rather than doing. I learned the value of quality time with the Princesses rather than filling our days not to mention our closets with stuff, stuff, and more stuff.
I learned that I actually like my own cooking more than most restaurants.
When things were stripped away, I learned what I valued most.
- a quiet hour after bedtime with the King of Free.
- a good glass of iced tea or a hot cup of coffee.
- a heart thumping workout.
- a book where I could be encouraged, inspired, and dream.
- a moment to pause and count my blessings.
- a pee your pants, laugh as hard as you can conversation with a good friend.
Somehow, the allure of things and places and trendy destinations eased (notice, I didn’t say it disappeared, just eased because I think this battle for my longings is one that will span my lifetime).
And now, this first debt free summer, I find that even on the other side of slaying the dragon, we’re doing many of the same things.
You’re going to be here soon, too. We can’t wait for your arrival.
xoxoxoxo
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
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