Have you ever wanted something desperately, and after you got it, the newness wore off and that things wasn't so special anymore?
Or how about buying something you've been waiting for and discovering that there was something better out there?
When we pray, we tend to look at things from our human perspective rather than from God's perspective. Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would say, "I want it, and I want it now!" But God sees our lives from an entirely different perspective. He can separate the needs from the wants far better than we can. We think no one else can understand our situation, but that is not true. No one can understand us better than the creator.
We need a car. We want to buy a new car every two years.
We need a place to live. We want a bigger, better house than everyone else has.
We need to work to support ourselves and our families. We want a job with prestige and recognition.
God knows the difference even if we don't.
For me, I have been asking for a Golden Handshake for years now. For those that aren't familiar with that term, it is where you are offered extra years of service and extra years on your age to retire early, but at the rate of pay if you had reached the full retirement age. I have seen my employer do that several times in my career, and have been waiting for my turn. With that extra pay, and extra years, I could be a full time author right now rather than waiting for later. I have asked for this many, many times. But apparently the answer has been no, because it has not come to fruition.
I have been satisfied with my 'no'. I don't understand it--at least not before now. I couldn't figure out why I was not granted such a simple thing. The retirement board has been doing well financially. It could have been done easily enough (in my mind) but I have kept working, thankful for having not only a job, but a career that can support both myself and my children. It has gotten them through college and out into the workforce for themselves. But still... I want to be a full time author.
So, as my career winds down into the last 18 months and still no Golden Handshake, I am satisfied. I know the difference between a need and a want. I have been contented with my work, and looking forward to the final countdown. And then...
it happened.
Something I never expected.
Not only once, but three times.
Three raises in 60 days. Now before you get too excited, none of them is life shattering. But they are enough to raise my standard of living slightly. They are enough to help me pay off some bills. And they are enough to raise the retirement check I will get. Raise it enough from being just enough, to more than enough.
You see, God knew that if I had been granted that wish years ago, there would not be enough to live on. Since my pension is based on a percent of my salary, with a lower salary, my retirement would have been less. By not answering my prayer earlier, I was allowed to increase the amount that I will have to live on when I am no longer working.
Am I rich? By the world's standards, no. Not at all. But by God's standards, I am the wealthiest person alive. I have Jesus. What more could a person ever want? or need?
Until next time:
Peace to you and yours,
Have this blog delivered right to your Kindle!
Tweet me @LorettaLea
#jclc #Sinclair
#JesusChristLifeCoach
#JesusIsMyLifeCoach
Re-Inventing the Impossible
~Lori
Loretta Sinclair
Sinclair Publishing
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com/Jesus-is-my-life-coach
Jesus is my Life Coach!
Or how about buying something you've been waiting for and discovering that there was something better out there?
When we pray, we tend to look at things from our human perspective rather than from God's perspective. Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would say, "I want it, and I want it now!" But God sees our lives from an entirely different perspective. He can separate the needs from the wants far better than we can. We think no one else can understand our situation, but that is not true. No one can understand us better than the creator.
We need a car. We want to buy a new car every two years.
We need a place to live. We want a bigger, better house than everyone else has.
We need to work to support ourselves and our families. We want a job with prestige and recognition.
God knows the difference even if we don't.
For me, I have been asking for a Golden Handshake for years now. For those that aren't familiar with that term, it is where you are offered extra years of service and extra years on your age to retire early, but at the rate of pay if you had reached the full retirement age. I have seen my employer do that several times in my career, and have been waiting for my turn. With that extra pay, and extra years, I could be a full time author right now rather than waiting for later. I have asked for this many, many times. But apparently the answer has been no, because it has not come to fruition.
I have been satisfied with my 'no'. I don't understand it--at least not before now. I couldn't figure out why I was not granted such a simple thing. The retirement board has been doing well financially. It could have been done easily enough (in my mind) but I have kept working, thankful for having not only a job, but a career that can support both myself and my children. It has gotten them through college and out into the workforce for themselves. But still... I want to be a full time author.
So, as my career winds down into the last 18 months and still no Golden Handshake, I am satisfied. I know the difference between a need and a want. I have been contented with my work, and looking forward to the final countdown. And then...
it happened.
Something I never expected.
Not only once, but three times.
Three raises in 60 days. Now before you get too excited, none of them is life shattering. But they are enough to raise my standard of living slightly. They are enough to help me pay off some bills. And they are enough to raise the retirement check I will get. Raise it enough from being just enough, to more than enough.
You see, God knew that if I had been granted that wish years ago, there would not be enough to live on. Since my pension is based on a percent of my salary, with a lower salary, my retirement would have been less. By not answering my prayer earlier, I was allowed to increase the amount that I will have to live on when I am no longer working.
Am I rich? By the world's standards, no. Not at all. But by God's standards, I am the wealthiest person alive. I have Jesus. What more could a person ever want? or need?
Until next time:
Peace to you and yours,
Have this blog delivered right to your Kindle!
Tweet me @LorettaLea
#jclc #Sinclair
#JesusChristLifeCoach
#JesusIsMyLifeCoach
Re-Inventing the Impossible
~Lori
Loretta Sinclair
Sinclair Publishing
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com/Jesus-is-my-life-coach
Jesus is my Life Coach!
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