I’m writing this as much for me as I am for you. Preachn’ to myself, everyone!

Planning for the future is hard. Next chapter’s structure, funding said next chapter, God throwing instruction into my plans, doing life with another person… it all is hard to manage and get flowing into the same direction.

It doesn’t help when you enter the new year with a plan of action, budget in place only to hit hurdle after hurdle after hurdle after hurdle.

Yes, I had to keep going with the ‘hurdles’ because that’s been our life this year thus far. As you know, I wrote this post about our financial planning for 2018. It’s been good and on point for the most part.

Except for those dang hurdles…

Some of which are more permanent or long-term hurdles than short, quick speed bumps. Which means… back to the drawing board I go.

Budgeting for us has never been cut and dry. We plan and plan but inevitably we always end up restructuring and thus reprinting my Excel spreadsheets used for monthly management.  Annoying…

But, with each reprinting my heart has me to focus on the why. Why am I having to reprint? It’s change for sure. But, why?

This blog is all about JOY. How to find it. How to keep it. How to share it. It’s my life-song, so to speak. So, let’s dig into the JOY aspect of clicking ‘reprint’.

Reprints for us this year are from a broken laptop ($1100), extra taxes from the sale of a piece of land ($xxx…..), a decision to go to Guatemala ($3000), needed projects at our new farm ($xxx…), and new tires for my truck ($1000).

It adds up quick…

I am reprinting because things are changing.

Things are changing because God’s hand is so integrated into our real life.

God to us isn’t just some unseen being in the sky. He is our Creator, our Provider, our Father [which art in Heaven]. He has dominion over the whole earth all the way down into the weeds of our life. The Holy Spirit makes this ever so real. First, with the guilt experienced in our sins. But, then too, with the directional changes of life.

I begin to move one way and Spirit-led I then change course. And then comes the ‘reprint’.

Tackle Them With JOY Bombs

Reprint Reason 1 – I thought for sure we would be squirreling away money like crazy this year as we are called to do (Proverbs 6:6). But, these new expenses are killing that dream…

JOY Bomb 1 – I need not fret because our Lord is providing for every stitch of these needs. And the ones not completely funded just yet, I know, will be.

Reprint Reason 2 – God has called Brooks and I to go to Guatemala costing us $3,000.

JOY Bomb 2 – I get to go to Guatemala… Yippy! And secondly, God doesn’t call into something without having a plan to equip and provide. Amen!

Reprint Reason 3 – We bought a farm that needs work. It’s abandoned actually which is like a magnet for delinquents to mess with it causing further damage.

JOY Bomb 3 – God gave us a peace beyond understanding about this place and we are so excited to take it on. He knows the need and will provide for it… and hopefully keep the mischievous kids in the area distracted by some other shiny object… like getting a job, kids!

Reprint 4 – Broken laptop.

JOY Bomb 4 – I need a computer because I have a fantastic job allowing me to work from home while providing for my family. Also, that job is an integral part of God’s plan for our next chapter… and this one we’re currently in, too.

Reprint 5 – Increase in taxes this year from sale of land. No matter how much we planned for this it is still a very large and distasteful pill to swallow.

JOY Bomb 5 –  If you’re unfamiliar, requirements for land purchases are different from standard residential loans. The profits from our sale allowed us to put a sizable down payment on the new farm. The amount of proceeds happened to be everything we needed for the required down payment on the new land. Coincidence? I think not. God is in the details.

Refocus: Because God is Right On Time

When you’re having to click reprint, know this: you are not alone in your disappointments. We all have reprints. Our budgets are ALWAYS changing and it’s likely for good reason. A God-given reason.

So, look up and take notice of how God is working. I don’t know why all of these things are happening in our life. BUT, I can say that I have a small view of where God is taking Brooks and I. And let me tell you, having a new, updated laptop will help. Having a homestead farm with lots of land to roam will help. Going into the mission field will give me new perspective and experience which will definitely play a part in our next chapter.

All of these hurdles are on purpose. I know it. God isn’t making a mistake. He actually on point.