It started with one thought, a man of action, and an old tire, and before I knew it, we had created a new fireside pit away from our forest of mosquito infested trees. We have had a great firepit the past 12 years on our rural Eastern Ontario property, but every summer we use it less and less because of where it is sits next to the damp, buggy trees.
One June Friday evening, with friends gathered for supper, Dave took an old tire rim and a large stump, and voila!, we had a marshmallow roasting extravaganza.
It took one small change, and we spent the entire weekend outside. It felt like we were camping but without all the work of camping, and we roasted more marshmallows than we would care to admit.
David and I have lived on 25 acres of mostly bush land for almost half of our marriage, in a beautiful log and timber home. This property is home to lush and vibrant trees, pesky mosquitoes, a host of noisy bullfrogs, fireflies, bats, coyotes and deer. Basically it is our own “provincial park” but without the waterfront property. We have a manmade pond of course that is home to two beautiful ducks and their ducklings, but it is not something you can boat on, or swim in.
Sometimes it just takes one small adjustment to bring a new idea to life. I know it may sound silly, but this one change in firepit placement has changed how we live, and how we are now enjoying our property and our time together.
It was while we sat talking around the fire, that I began to understand that one small change can make all the difference, even in our finances.
Just one, small good thing.
When my debts are too high, and my discouragements and stress just as high, I can’t even begin to think that one small change will make a difference. But I have come to learn that is simply not true.
Doing the seemingly small thing can make a change in how I think about money, possessions, stewardship, Kingdom purposes and my relationship to God. It can also be the start to getting my finances back on track.
What am I talking about?
Making an intentional choice of change puts your mind and your feet on a new path, or back onto the path of financial health. At More Than Enough, we believe that change, new thinking, and rediscovery of purpose is vital and important and possible for you and me. Although you and I may be overwhelmed, change is possible. You and I may just need to start small, or simply start with one thing.
Where do I start?
Talk to God about your finances. This doesn’t mean you rub the magic genie of prayer expecting God to send a cheque in the mail. This does mean that you share your worries, concerns, and seek His help on your financial journey, expecting Him to answer in any myriad of ways. Our friend Ray Borg from Financial Discipleship Canada says “Mammon seeks to rob us of our relationship with God and that intimacy with Him.” We all need to understand that turning to God is an act of worship, trust, intimacy and love. Don’t let Mammon keep you from God.
Start with tracking your spending. Take 30 or 60 days to keep your receipts and write down every penny you spend. You will be amazed to find out where your money is going. Some say that money doesn’t disappear in big chunks, but falls through the cracks small bits at a time. So track your spending.
Use cash. If you can’t trust yourself with a credit card, put it in the freezer or cut it up. There is no shame in admitting that credit cards are not your strong suit. Statistics show that we can spend up to 20 per cent more on items when we use credit instead of cash. So use cash.
Use an envelope system. Designating amounts of cash to envelopes is also very helpful. The trick is not dipping into others when one envelope runs out. Virtual envelopes on some finance apps, or banks like Tangerine, also work well if you don’t want to have cash lying around the house.
Find an accountability partner. A large part of what we do at More Than Enough is coaching. We come alongside people who just need a cheerleader, a guide and helper to wade through financial decisions, and the marketing that has brainwashed us to believe that God is not enough. But you don’t always need a coach: you may just need an accountability partner that can track with you, help you get up when you fall down, and ask you the tough questions. The point is: find a coach or partner you can trust.
You may have your own ideas of where to start. If you spend time seeking God and discovering what His Word says about money and possessions, you will gain all the guidance you need from Him. The point is: start somewhere, and start small if you need to. One small change is all you need.