Remember

I was 19 and working for minimum wage.  Some would call it living pay-check-to-pay-check, but I had never heard that term before.  I just knew that I had enough to pay my bills and meet my basic needs, so I was happy...until.

At 19, "until" wasn't something I knew anything about.  I wasn't prepared for sick days, or insurance rate increases.  I didn't understand that utility bills fluctuated and you actually had to BUY salt.  I was feeling so grown up...until.

My "until" wasn't something that was catastrophic.  It was the small expenses of everyday living that creeped in and stole every last penny I had.  I know, because I knew every penny I had.  I never misplaced money, left it in the car or in the cushions of the couch.  So, when I was out of money, I was completely out of money.

I remember that I was about a week away from my next pay check.  Bills needed to be paid, I had very little gas and I had even less in the refrigerator.  I was too far away to afford to go home to my mom's house to eat every night, so I had to make a plan.  I collected every recyclable I could find in the area and I recycled. I earned about $60 and that got me through until pay day.

It would be great to say that was the end of my money worries, but unfortunately, that was just part of a very long road to understanding finances.

Now, years later, we were talking with friends as they were getting ready to move from the shelter into a rental.  They had nothing and we were able to help with a few things and we were able to find others who were also in a position to help.  They were speechless, constantly saying that they would "remember us" when they got back on their feet and they would "pay us back" when they had the money.

I told them my story.  Reminding them that no matter where we are in life, whether it is in a place of very little or a place of abundance, it isn't permanent.  Only God provides and from His provisions we share.  God said to us, "If you have two coats, give one away," he said.  "Do the same with your food."  Luke 3:11

And remembering my own story helps my heart be ready for their story.  God designed it that way.  Through my journey, I can encourage.  Through my fear and His faithfulness, I can show His goodness.  Through His provision, I can share His glory.

Deuteronomy 24:17 -  22 says:  Do not deprive the foreigner of fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of a widow as a pledge.  REMEMBER that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there.  That is why I command you to do this.    When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back and get it.  Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.  When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time.  Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.  When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard   Do not go over the vines again.  Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.  REMEMBER that you were slaves in Egypt.  That is why I command you to do this.

(Emphasis mine...also, when God chooses to repeat something, I don't think it is an accident.  I remember...that is why God is commanding me to do this.)