As many of you know, Michael and I had the privilege of paying off our mortgage this year. It was a long and hard process, but totally worth it! We got a taste of the Lord as Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will Provide).
As we approached 2021, Michael and I began to ask the Lord what our next steps should be when we completed it. We both felt for years that there was something significant on the other side of accomplishing this goal for Him. We finished paying off the mortgage in May of this year.
It was such a relief to have some extra money in our accounts for once. We saved up for our puppy, put money in savings, updated some renovations, and took a couple of little vacations. We felt through prayer that the Lord was good with this, while continuing to pray what He wanted next.
My health started declining in May. It started out with exhaustion. I couldn’t seem to get enough energy. I dragged along and made it work. I’m used to running on low energy from my concussion. I thought maybe it was connected to that somehow.
The summer came and went and we headed into a busy fall. Light-headedness was then added to the issue, along with my muscles feeling like they weren’t getting enough oxygen most days. I figured it was due to the busyness of the season and it would pass. By the end of October, my muscles started to frequently ache.
I checked with my doctors and started working on what could be going on. Michael and I prayed for understanding and healing, as well as what next steps we should be taking. Here we were back in the unknowns again, waiting on the Lord for His answers.
Work became hard for me. I’d manage through it, and then come home and crash on the couch. I was an emotional mess by the end of the day if I wasn’t able to get a decent nap in.
Eventually, we felt the best solution would be for me to quit my job. So, I gave my notice in mid-November with the understanding that I would stay on until they found somebody and had properly trained them. I wasn’t in a rush towards another job, so I knew I’d be okay to stick around until then.
God provides for our every need. Because we had the house paid off, we could consider the possibility of me not working. We are going to have to sacrifice some things again and the budget is going to be tighter, but not as tough as when we were paying off the debt. We are so grateful for this.
To be honest, this is one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve ever received. My dream to be home is now a reality. I can spend more time with Jesus, focus on getting better without having to push myself through work, and being able to have more energy towards our marriage and taking care of the house is such a gift. I’m also excited to have more time to devote to Hope Through Hard Times. I won’t be full-time on this, but having more energy and time will be excellent. I’ve got so many ideas brewing!
The Lord brought things together once we made that decision as well. Suddenly, we started receiving more dog-sitting requests through Rover immediately after I gave my notice at work, which will provide extra income.
Then I received a call from a pain-management specialist. I had an appointment scheduled to see him in February, 2022, but they had a cancellation and could get me in early. During that appointment, he was able to explain why I was experiencing the symptoms I’ve been dealing with this year, and gave us so much hope that things will improve! I start treatment on January 24th. The road to my health recovery is still ongoing, but getting nearer every day/month/year.
I felt the Lord confirm to me that being done work to focus on Him, my marriage, and the ministry is part of the next step He’s got planned for us post-mortgage. I’m excited to see all that He has in mind for us through this.
As I was thinking about this new season, Deuteronomy 8:4 came to mind: “Your clothing did not wear out, and your feet did not swell these 40 years.” The Lord provided for us throughout the whole process of paying off the mortgage. He will do it again through this next phase as well. Though things may come up, we don’t need to worry because He will always provide for our needs. He is so good and faithful.
I am now beginning to experience the benefits of being completely debt free. Without the burden of owing anyone hanging over us, we’re able to more freely make decisions based on what the Lord desires, not being weighed down by finances. In our own scenario, we would have liked more time to put money into savings, but doing it now keeps our eyes and dependency on Jehovah to provide, which is the best place to be.
