This morning my five year old son woke up with a plan to shop at Target. I don’t know where it came from. I hadn’t even mentioned the great sale on eggs that I planned to take advantage of. No, on his own accord, he was a man on a mission. There was a Playmobil set that he wanted, and he was ready, wallet tightly clutched in his hand.
Well, he’s had a good time spending his Christmas money over the past few months. A Playmobil here. A Lego there. A Bionicle last week. It’s like the money was literally burning a hole in his pocket. We talked each time about saving the money. But, he wasn’t interested in saving.
The Playmobil of the Day, however, was beyond his means this morning, and he was heartbroken. He no longer had enough money to spend wherever he pleased. His extreme sadness (because it is extreme when you’re five) reminded me of how I felt three years ago when we woke up to the fact that we had revolving credit debt. We felt sunk. We were pretty close to hopeless. The world measures by power, prestige, and bank accounts and we were greatly lacking.
However, there was one thing we had that no credit card company could seize, no bank could freeze.
Photo Source
The new life we have in Christ.
Not only did He pay for my sins by His death on the cross, but He also defeated sin and death, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. Christ paid my biggest debts. And while financial debt is certainly stressful and painful, living a life apart from God is even moreso.
If you find yourself in a tough financial situation — or not, I urge you to consider the promises of God and the hope of Christ.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
I talk a lot about frugality and debt because they have both played a big part in my life. But, Jesus is the Author, Director and Leading Man of this show. How can I not share that with you?
Blessings to you at Easter!
Feel free to leave your links in the comments this week!
Why I Want to Live Debt-Free (& What’s in it for YOU)
How to Live Without Credit Cards
How We Said NO to Debt and Credit
Getting Your Financial House in Order
Truly Debt Free
Thanks so much for the beautiful reminder!
I love it Jessica! Definitely the greatest debt ever paid!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Toni
Thank you for this post. It is so true and a great reminder for all of us about the ultimate debt that has been paid.
http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2010/04/cilantro-lime-rice.html
Amen!
Using your fabric scraps
Blessings to you and your family as well.
Mine is a repost from over a year ago because Freezer Breakfasts are on my mind today. I’m likely going to actually do a new post. But here you have it for now. Happy Easter all!
Frugal Freezer and Pantry Make-ahead-Breakfasts
Amen and Amen…what would we do without Him?
What a great reminder of what we have, when we feel we don’t have enough. Thank you for the uplifting post!
Aw! So powerful and so true! Praise the Lord, my debt is paid in full!
Thank you for the Word!
http://www.simplesavingsmom.com/2010/03/birthday-parties-on-dime.html
Have a great Easter weekend! Thanks for the reminder.
“How I got burned buying flowers online” {lessons learned from online shopping}
What a wonderful post! Thanks Jessica!
I’m sharing a Frugal Easter Dessert today, Strawberry Pie…
http://hoosierhomemade.com/strawberry-pie-guest-post/
~Liz
budgeting at the grocery store
Amen! Thank you for the reminder as we head into “Resurrection Memory Day”.
The Growing Family Meets the Incredible Shrinking Dollar Budgeting at the grocery store-
And thanks for the reminder.
http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2010/04/growing-family-beats-incredible.html
Growing Family Beats Incredible Shrinking Dollar
Amen!
http://www.mississippimmaof7.blogspot.com
Easter Story {Craft} ~ The Meaning of Easter… in an Egg!
This is a great way to teach kids the Easter Story… 🙂
http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/2010/03/the-easter-story-craft-in-an-egg.html
I posted some frugal ways to color Easter eggs!!
http://cuttingbackkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/04/dying-easter-eggs.html
Amen!
Thank you so much for sharing. I have been enjoying your site for several months now….but this is the best post yet. 🙂
Thank you for this post. As we head into this weekend, I will for the very first time give confession and take communion. I’m coming from a different faith entirely and this year long process of discovering Jesus and how in Him was where I belonged all this time. That makes this post very, very real to me. This isn’t thinking I’m accustomed to, and that’s scary and wonderful all at once. Thank you for giving me another fabulous way to understand it.
God Bless You, Em!
First Friday post:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2010/04/aprils-cheapest-fruits-and-vegetables.html
Aahhh, this is so true, and such an important reminder. I know that feeling of hopelessness you described all too well. But my life before Christ was much less hopeful.
He is Risen!
For my frugal tip this week, read about my experience with halogen light bulbs.
http://kingdomfirstmom.com/2010/04/halogen-light-bulbs-from-sylvania.html
Great post. Happy Easter!
I agree, great post. I invite everyone to consider how our food choices are affected by our faith by joining my Food & Faith Challenge – it starts tomorrow!
http://thelocalcook.com/food-faith-challenge/
Thanks for sharing!
Here is my $50/week grocery project link!
http://buyonsaleandsavethedifference.blogspot.com/2010/03/baby-shower-frugal.html
Thanks for your witness of our RISEN SAVIOR! I love your posts everyday. You are a LIGHT and SALT for Christ!! Keep up the encouraging work!
http://www.mycouponteacher.com/2010/04/thrifty-thursday.html
Not a Competition!
Amen and Amen. Hope you and your family have a beautiful Easter!
Praise God for the gift of salvation!
I got some pretty sweet deals at CVS this week, also had a lot of fun this Holy Week, come on over…..
http://www.themorristribe.net/2010/04/cvs-savings-engine-envy-testosterone.html
What a wonderful reminder and powerful post- thank you!
I’m working to dispel the myth that there “are no good coupons out there” this week!
http://parentingthetiniestofmiracles.blogspot.com/2010/04/but-there-are-no-good-coupons.html
Yes, absolutely. Daily meditation in God’s word & remembering what Jesus has done for you makes you stop & think more and be more thankful to him for what you do have. Thanks for the reminder. It’s easy to get short-sighted.
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing THE Good News of paid debt. Also love that your children were excited and involved in the making of the Resurrection Cake.
Thanks for such a great post! It’s a wonderful reminder of how these beautiful holidays come about. Same goes for Christmas too! Now, that we are all talking about Jesus Christ and how he died for our sins, I’m going to “SHOW” you that the Easter Bunny really does exist! Hee Hee! Hope you enjoy my odd sense of humor, but hey, it’s for the kids, right?!
Proof that the Easter Bunny Really Does Exist!
http://myfrugallifestyle.blogspot.com/2010/04/proof-that-easter-bunny-really-does.html
AMEN! May you have a very blessed Easter!
http://www.lifeonpossomtrot.com/2010/03/hanging-file-makeovertutorial.html
I bought the eggs this week at Target too–$0.99 was a great deal!
Here is my frugal article this week:
Save Money Purchasing Milk
http://www.swapsavers.com/group/moneysavingarticles/forum/topics/save-money-purchasing-milk
Popcorn-the frugal snack!
http://feathering-the-nest.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-eating-popcorn.html
Great post!
This week mine is all about cloth diapering
http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/2010/04/02/how-to-start-cloth-diapering/
Amen! In our everyday struggles, to be frugal, take care of family, and everything else our lives entail, I strive to take the time to be truly thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice for each one of us! Easter is the most blessed season, and a reason to Celebrate the life he gave for the life we have been given.
Thanks for the great post and parallel stories. We can get the extremes over what is going on in day to day life but peace is ours through Jesus. Thanks for the reminder! I pray your family has a great Easter.
This is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
I John 3:16
My frugal friday post is up. I experimented with moving away from commercial dishwashing soap detergent because it was bothering me (I’m pregnant–lots of things bother pregnant women!)
So I experiemented with making my own homemade dishwashing detergent and loved the results.
Here’s the link:
http://pennypantry.com/homemaking/our-homemade-dishwasher-detergent-experiment/
http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2010/3/31/tax-returns-and-guidelines.html Tax Returns and Guidelines.
Enjoy your holiday!
Inexpensive Spring Mural
Happy Easter to you and your family!
Thank you. I needed the verses today. He is Risen!
Amen! He’s the Husband of my Soul, the Light of My Life, and my Saving Grace. No frugal tips here…I’ll be pondering the sadness and misery that Mary must have experienced this evening, as the Mother, watching Her only Son be wrongly accused, tortured, and die, so He could save OUR unworthy souls. To all Glory and Praise be His name…He is Risen on Sunday!!!
(And I thank Him most wholeheartedly also, for the mad couponing ninja skills He blessed me with. Thank you Lord, for your Blood, and for the little things too!)
Have a lovely Easter weekend!
http://peculiarmomma.blogspot.com/2010/04/frugal-friday.html
Well done Jessica! It seems I can’t read anything at Easter without getting weepy, this included! Talk about humble!
Happy Easter to you and your lovely family!
Trina
Definitely a story to share! Thanks!
HE IS RISEN!! Blessings to you and your family and thanks for being a blessing to others through your blog and your life!
Perfect post, thank you for your witness.
He is risen indeed! Amen! And thank you.