Brave Enough To Be Bliss

rarely had any help like that and it sure would have been nice, so that's what is in my mind when I do things to assist you. You have a good work ethic, so I don't believe there is any detrimental impact to me helping you from time to time. It is purely a way to show you through an act of service that I love you dearly. I don’t want you to get the idea that you “need” to do any of these things with your children because your situation may be completely different. Your children may be completely different human beings than you two. This was a moment in time when I had the ability and desire to gift you in a way that will hopefully bring you as much joy as it brings me. So while the gift is that, truly a gift without conditions, I just wanted to share a piece of my heart so you could fully understand my decision and through that hopefully encourage you to consider taking some time to really connect with your hearts and souls and perhaps consider as you encounter others in your life and through your work to determine if there are ways you can be a blessing to them. I assure you, that process of consideration will be a blessing to God, a blessing in your own lives as well as those you may choose to bless.

I love you to infinity and beyond,

Mom xoxo

“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage and confidence in the doing.” Theodore Roosevelt

The church is never pushy when it comes to tithing. As with any church, the ask has to be made but I’ve never felt uncomfortable no matter what my financial situation has been. I knew I should be doing more, but when it came time to commit, I never could get myself to do it. I was always worried if I made a larger commitment that something would happen and I wouldn’t be able to come through, so in other words, fear kept me far away from the recommended tithing for a member. I love the outreach of the church and enjoy volunteering, so I personally can see the wonderful things in the community the church supports. And I do want to support them, but I was just always scared. I justified a lesser amount because I do give to other organizations, but I knew deep d own it was just something I said to myself to try to make me feel better. I could do more, but I wouldn’t commit to doing more because of fear. So not surprisingly, since I was unemployed and wasn’t sure when I would be employed again or what my salary would be when I did find a job, there was a part of me that felt uncomfortable making a commitment. The commitment card was on my desk when I got back from Michigan, and I knew I needed to decide. It bothered me enough that I actually prayed about it. I prayed for direction about how to complete the commitment card as Pastor Adam always recommends. And on Friday, October 20, 2023, I woke up with these words and typed them into my phone.

Give abundantly. You have been blessed to be a blessing. Not just when it’s easy or convenient, but when it’s hard and even sometimes painful.

That seemed like a pretty clear answer, so I completed the commitment card for both the annual and capital campaigns and trust I will be led to a way to meet my commitment one way or another.

I have had several unanticipated financial surprises appear that have helped stretch my savings while I’ve been away writing this book. Life…is…still…hard. Bad things can still happen. I may not find a job soon or one that pays anything like what I used to earn. But I’m beginning to believe that when I bless God by blessing others with the blessings I’ve received, I not only feel tremendous peace and joy inside, but I may also be trusted with more gifts to provide more blessing opportunities. And I almost forgot the second twist… after they signed a contract on the house they wanted, Kylee asked me to meet her the next day so I could see it. She sent me the address, so the next morning, I put it in my Maps app and headed that way.

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