But, because last week was a forty plus hour work week, I didn't have anything I absolutely had to get done this morning. So, rather than a date with my computer, my child-free morning consisted of an hour of volunteering in Isaac's classroom, and then...wait for it...an hour and a half walk with the dog! Yes, an hour and a half, in the beauty of God's creation at the base of Cheyenne Mountain around what Spencer Penrose envisioned years ago for the Broadmoor Hotel and surrounding community, a brisk walk at my pace, rather than the kid's or anyone else's, Pandora on the iphone, and me!
Some days I forget how much I need, love, and miss my alone time.
I wasn't really alone, though. I had great dialogue with God, and it truly was a dialogue, rather than a one-way conversation, as it is too often.
He reminded me of how much I have - my husband and partner - the perfect match for me, our three great kids, our extended family, great community, a beautiful home and neighborhood, good schools for our kids, a business that supports our family and allows for flexibility within our schedules, and so much more. Then I was reminded of our basic needs that are so easily taken for granted here in my family: clean water, food - healthy food on the table three times a day, a roof over our heads, shoes on our feet, clothing, vitamins to keep us healthy, our health, and again the list goes on and on. We are so fortunate to live in this country where water, food, and shelter are almost a given.
I was struck by how great our wealth is, compared to 95% of the world. We have so much and we give so much, yet there is SO much more to give. Just yesterday, prior to my walk, I compared our business financials of 2009 to those of 2010. Thanks be to God that we increased our income by nearly 18% in a year that we took a risk and dropped a fairly big revenue builder for us, The David Tilney seminar marketing and planning. It truly was amazing. God provided! It hit me that, our business may continue to grow, but what a gift it would be to maintain our current lifestyle, not increase our spending, and just grow our giving!! WOW!
I was also struck by the phenomenal gift that my grandparents, my parents, and Kurt's parents have given us. A gift that will be passed onto our kids, grandkids, and God's greater Kingdom here on Earth. The gift of debt-free living. Our parents and grandparents paid for our college education. At the time, I was grateful for my education, but never have I been so aware of the enormous gift they've given us in not being enslaved to loans. We are free to live within our means and give all that we have above our mortgage and living expenses. I've heard the argument that kids will appreciate their education that much more and take it more seriously if they pay for all or part of their education. That may be true, but on the other side of that argument is how empowered we are, at a young age, to truly make strives for God's Kingdom, here on earth...not when all this passes away and we're in Heaven, but now. NOW we can dig wells, NOW we can support orphanages, NOW we can fund research for disease eradication, NOW we can support education, NOW we can do what we can to lower the world-wide poverty rate, NOW we can partner with friends overseas sharing God's heart by living in community with unbelievers, NOW we can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus.
I'm so thankful, that at a young age we are able to give, so that from birth, our children truly know what living a life for Christ is and that it isn't solely a personal thing, but a way we live, as the Eilmes family looking out for others and thinking of others before ourselves. Stewardship was once part of a job title for me. I certainly hope that I can pass on the gift and understanding of stewardship in our living and giving to our kids. I pray they learn at a young age (and God has already shown me glimpses that they have) that we truly are blessed to be a blessing!!
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