What have you learned this week?
I learned many things, but two things stand out. First, after you no longer have children for tax deductions you need to be very aware of how much federal tax is being taken out in the beginning of the year from your jobs that supply you a W2 or it will bite you in the butt when you file! But again, it is a lesson learned and God supplies all we need. We found out unfortunately two of our jobs had no tax taken out which made us owe the government. I don't mind paying. The government, despite the rampant corruption (and sadly I have found out it is also in our South Dakota government) there are still good people our taxes fund to keep our society running (that doesn't mean I won't be smarter this year about being aware of what is being taken out and what I need to pay every quarter to the IRS).
Second, I watch my husband and I am so thankful for him. Since he is not a full-time teacher anymore, it is so apparent to me (and maybe to others) how God is using him with his powerlifting team and our church family (and others who call him to talk) and anyone who watches his sermons. I stay mostly in the background, but what I realized is that me being in the background is an important part of Shannon's ministry. He is free to minister more because of what I do here at home. So many years of our marriage I had guilt about not making my share of the money for our household, so I worked doubly hard doing whatever needed doing at home. I was trying to "earn my keep." Shannon never thought that. It was just my own hang-up. That attitude took away some of my joy of simply being alive and having some great kids (and their friends coming over daily after school for cookies). Thankfully, there is grace for all of us!
It is no surprise to any of you (unless this is the first time you've been here and haven't checked out any of my other pages) that I have a mental illness. It is controlled most of the time -- haven't had any episodes for a very long time. For that I am so appreciative to Jesus Christ. If you have a mental illness you need to be proactive. You need to figure out what works for you so you can function and be the person God has created you to be. Only you can really know what you need to be in a good place mentally. That doesn't mean others can't help you. You need a good support system. But you have to communicate with your support system about what will help you function well. God made your mind the way it is for His glory. He never intended you to be a victim of it.
Anyway, that was a rabbit trail! Yet, it does apply in a broad sense. What I wanted to tell you is that the revelation I got about Shannon's ministry really changed me the last couple of days. I knew I was part of our team. And I no longer felt I like I had to "earn my keep." I got over that several years ago (I am going to be 55 this year -- you'd hope I learned it by my mid-50s). But one of the things that goes with bipolar disease is that there is a fatalistic streak in me that often wishes life would be over. Sometimes it is because of despair. Sometimes (the worst times) are because of mental torment that is excruciatingly painful -- such that you just want the pain to stop. But what happened to me because of a health situation that showed up suddenly 3 a.m. Friday, was I realized Shannon couldn't do what he does if I were no longer here. So, even though the health situation probably will turn out to be hardly anything, no matter what, I will do what I can to be healthy and stay on this earth so Shannon can continue to be used by Jesus Christ.
(The painting featured above is called "Ginger in the Wind." I painted it years ago. A wonderful lady in central South Dakota owns it.)
And because I need to share at least one Bible verse, here is Psalm 18:2:
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."