ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

The last post brought a comment with a series of 3 questions and a question--why the post "Clarification" did not bring more comments. I will attempt to answers the 3 questions---in 3 posts--with my understanding as to the answers---may not be your answers--but they are mine. As to why were there not more comments----I see that many rush to respond when the comments become contentious---some coming to my defense. I had a call from sweet Barbara--urging me to not respond to the negatives--be cautious for reasons of safety--and discussing where negatives come from. I had already posted my "Clarification"--have never had a moment's concern for my safety and absolutely felt the pain of the one that was posting the comment . SO this is still my voice---I am using it for personal reflection---but I also am choosing to have a conversation with you and myself about where I am and your questions about "My thoughts".





The first question dealt with worrying about financial security. INTERESTING--that you brought this up---my number one concern--my panic button---my stumbling block--

FINANCIAL SECURITY

I will not bore you with the LONG details about why this is such an issue for me---but I will tell you what my thought procss has been about this during the past year. Just let me start by saying---I snickered to myself that you asked this first---since God certainly knows this is my biggest hurdle---He has SUCH a sense of humor!

When I finally got over the initial shock ---and heartbreak---of being alone. I began to process where I was financially and what I needed to do. I am thankful for my accounting background and for all the years that I have taken care of our family's finances as well as countless other's finances. I knew where to start!

The first step was to access where I was. I sat down-----I analyzed what my assets were---what my expenses were--and what it would take to make it financially. I soon determined I did not think I had enough assets to not work---and would be on a tight shoestring in retirement if I did not save more $s.
So I decided I would go back to work--really not much other choice. NOW----I must tell you--you are correct--I do not--at this time have any financial worries---but there is no guarantee that will always be the case. I have NO guaranteed support--and so it was not prudent to depend upon that which could vanish at any time.

So when I started thinking about "What to do", my thoughts ranged from I will work---2 or 3 jobs if necessary but I will provide for myself to finally settling into the decision after MUCH prayer of putting myself out as a "Consultant" after a LONG career of public accounting. This entailed---pulling my big girl panties up and making visits to business contacts from my previous career and business leaders within the community. NOT exactly what I wanted to do--I was still licking my wounds--had to go face those that had heard the talk about the story--BUT-I put on my war paint--dressed in my battle gear and I made those contacts--and God has faithfully honored me with work-to this point.

Work has been my "Mental Liferaft"---when I work---I WORK---I think about the job in front of me and work hard to get it done. I don't think about me--myself--or I--but only what I need to do to complete the task in front of me. I am SO BLESSED to have had my work. When each job has ended--God has provided the next---not a moment earlier than when one ended---teaching me trust. NOW I am fortunate that I took the steps all those years ago to ensure skills that were marketable--and I did work hard for MANY years before retiring for 10 years--so I do know I am blessed to have the abilities I do to earn a fair living. This began me thinking---What would I do--if I didn't have these skills?

I have mulled this over for a couple of days and I go back to where I started when I began thinking about this 9 months ago. I would do whatever was necessary to get the bills paid. I am going to babysit for a friend tonight--but there are MANY out there that need trusted babysitters and will pay you for it. I have a friend that is a great cook--she is cooking to raise money to build an orphanage--but you can support yourself by cooking for others. There are those that work full time that will pay others to clean their house--I have a retired teacher friend that is doing just that. On and on and on---I thought about working a "hotel desk" on the weekend--or working a cash register on the weekend to supplement. Bottom line---figure out what your talents are---and use them to help you earn some $s.

Step Two in the process----keep careful records of what it takes to pay the bills---and how you are spending your $s. I cannot tell you HOW important this is. I KNOW how easy it is to let $s slip through you fingers---so don't let that happen---PLAN and stay with the plan.

Step Three---SAVE!--I have my eye on the future and know that the day will come sooner than later that I will no longer be able - physically- to work---so I am monthly adding to the nest egg. The nest egg---frees you mentally from the edge of worry. You will have an emergency fund and $s for those expenditures that come from no where---but you also will have your retirement. It will be very hard to retire and support yourself on SS alone---thus the need for a fund to draw the earnings from at retirement.

MOST IMPORTANT----I have looked to God----looked to his word---there are MANY verses that address worry----my personal favorite----Phil. 4:6-7
but try Proverbs 12:25 Matt. 6:30 I Peter 5:7 ---there are LOTS of others.

Here is the bottom line on them all----God loves you----He does not want you to worry-he is NOT promising you riches--He does not say life will not be hard---He will faithfully sustain you and provide the necessities IF you look to Him and trust Him----and Worry---worry will not alter anything---it will not change one thing about where you are---but thinking about it---analyzing it---coming up with a plan and sticking to it---or ACTION---that will relieve your worries---It is freeing to know that you are doing something to make a change---it is the
Next Right Thing To Do.