Not Broke, Just In Between Blessings

Never in my life have I personally known so many people in financial trouble as today. And, when I say financial trouble, I’m not talking about people who have a bit of credit card debt or may be behind on the phone bill. I’m talking about people in serious, serious financial trouble to the point where the sheriff may be out any day to change the locks on their homes and put their belongings on the lawn. And, the most troubling thing about it is that these are people with jobs! Yes, they are gainfully employed, but due circumstances, their paychecks are no longer enough to make ends meet.

One of my friends has been on his job for thirty years, yet he is now accessing his 401K plan in order to prevent having all of his utilities turned off. Something has to change with his finances real soon because if this continues, his mortgage may be at risk and he may go into default…not to mention deplete his retirement account.

I have one friend who just filed for bankruptcy and divorce: as if one wasn’t difficult enough. She will not able to keep her home.

I have other friends who are getting the run-around from their banks regarding their Notice of Defaults. It’s a serious situation because many don’t realize that a bank can sell a house out from underneath you. Once that notice is filed it starts a timeline that leads up to foreclosure. Once the bank has taken back your house, they can sell it at auction. So, it’s important to get the right people on the phone in order to get answers and hopefully find a resolution. But, sometimes even that can be a full-time job.

Add autism into the mix and losing one’s house has educational ramifications for the child (or adult) because when a family has to uproot and move, then the child may have to attend a different school that may not have appropriate services. IEPs (Individualized Education Program) follow the child, but that doesn’t mean the new school or district has services that are as good or even adequate.

‘Financial hardship’ was the topic of last Sunday’s sermon at a new church we visited. It was a fiery sermon by a Pentecostal minister who preached like thunder up in there. He raised his voice to the Lord and shouted that he was overwhelmed by all the members in his congregation who were facing financial difficulties. They come to him saying, “I don’t have any money! “ “I’m losing my house!” “I don’t know how I’m going to make it!” “I’m broke! I can’t get through this.”

And, his reply to these people at the end of their ropes is, “You can get through it, yet it’s not going to be easy. But, you are not broke, I assure you. You’re just in between blessings.”

Then, he reminded them of the blessings they’ve already received. He preached that it was a blessing that got them their houses, cars, and material goods in the first place. And, it was a blessing that allowed them to keep their jobs. But, things change. Life changes. And, just because they’re having a hard time right now does not mean there won’t be smooth sailing ahead. They need to get through the fire in order to appreciate the next blessing. And, if they get so bogged down in what they don’t have or what happened to their assets, then they will not be in any condition to accept or even acknowledge the next blessing.

I loved this message and couldn’t wait to share it with my friends. I, too, believe that we must have faith. We must believe. We must realize and accept that this too shall pass. That these hard times aren’t going to be with us forever. That once the darkness fades, there will be light and more blessings.

And, I wanted to bring this message to my online community…the people who take time out of their busy days to read my blog. If you are someone who is facing hard times right now, remember:

You are not broke. You are just in between blessings.

Sincerely,

Sockitmama