More Blessings...

It's been a little while since I last blogged about God's blessings during CJ's time of unemployment, but that doesn't mean God hasn't been blessing us. My wonderful parents have blessed us numerous times in the past (almost) 7 weeks. Today I got my annual raise for the next school year. In addition, I got two out of three stipends for doing a little bit of work during the last week of July. (Raise + Stipends = Largest paycheck I have ever received in my life!!!)

On to a HUGE unexpected blessing from just yesterday...

I always hear about people who receive money in such unexpected ways, and I am always in such awe at their stories (my Mom just told me another story from her and my Dad's past that I never recall hearing before). Anyway, now that I am in a situation to want and hope to receive this unexpected money, I sure had no idea where in the world it might even come from. I've often fantasized these past 6+ weeks about opening up my mailbox and seeing a check inside for a nice sum of money. Ha! Slim chance, right??

For reasons unknown, I didn't even get the mail on Wednesday. This is quite odd, actually because getting my daily mail is something that I really look forward to. Like my Dad, I've always enjoyed seeing the mail truck go by, knowing that my mail had been delivered for the day. So yesterday morning I reminded myself that I had not yet picked up Wednesday's mail. I hurried along outside to the mailbox, opened it up, and did not see that check I often fantasize about. I saw an ad for The Children's Place (wish I could go buy Trin all of these adorable clothes), a Progressive car insurance bill (oh joy...another bill!), and mail from my mortgage company (probably junk mail, I thought). I casually walked back inside, not quite sure what was going through my mind at that time...and definitely not aware of what I was about to discover...

I opened the "junk mail" first (i.e.: the mail from my mortgage company). That's what I always do...I open the junk mail first, followed by the bills, and then I save the best for last (cards/letters/coupons from my Mom, magazines, store ads, teacher catalogs, etc.). I quickly skimmed the mail from my mortgage company and realized it was a break-down of property taxes for the past year. But wait...what was this attached to the bottom?

A check?

Written out (okay, technically typed out) to CJ and me?

For...?

Wait, I must be reading this wrong. Is this a joke? What in the world is this?

Seeing my jaw on the floor and the tears welling up in my eyes, CJ rushed over, kind of alarmed. All I could do was show him the amount on the check. Poor CJ thought we owed our mortgage company the amount. I quickly recovered, picked up my jaw, and with eyes full of tears, I explained to him that this was a check...written to us...for $2,884.61!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been overpaying into our escrow account for about the past 18 months. I had been noticing on our monthly mortgage statement that we had a huge surplus in our escrow account, but being a homeowner for only the past 2 years, and never experiencing anything like this, I was absolutely stunned at the amount on the check. God is SO good. I can now relate to those who have also received "unexpected" checks out of the blue. And my fanstasy has now become a wonderful reality.

Just last Sunday my Pastor preached about tithing and giving...and how those who tithe and give are the ones who benefit. People, God doesn't need our money...He owns all of the riches in the world. He does, however, want us to give 10% of our income to the Church, as well as give in other areas. My parents taught me at an early age...when I was earning a $10 allowance to tithe 10%. It may sound "silly" to give $1 in the offering, but my parents were teaching me a very valuable Biblical lesson. I know many people who have said, "I can't afford to tithe" or "I can give something, but I can't give 10%." Can I encourage you, if you are someone who thinks this way, to ask God to change your way of thinking. God allows us to "test" Him in Malachi 3:10, and He promises that he will pour out his blessings on those who tithe.

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" (Malachi 3:10 - NLT)

We can't afford not to tithe! Every single penny we earn and/or are given comes from God. The least we can do is thank Him by returning the 10% we owe Him. We don't tithe or give just to get blessings from God...but watch what happens when you faithfully tithe. See what God will do for you and your finances. I encourage and challenge all of you to give it a try...you will not be disappointed, nor will you feel like you're "missing" 10% of your income. Thanks be to God!!!

So...because we've been overpaying into our escrow account, our montly mortgage/escrow payment is being reduced by $115 starting October 1st!!! Just another way to save money right now. I just had to testify, once again, to God's greatness.