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Jason and I have been very blessed financially. By blessed, I mean God has always provided just enough for us. The sad thing is there’s rarely been a time when I didn’t stress about money anyway. I’m always afraid of things like major car repairs and doctor bills that could come along. I have to remind myself that when we didn’t have enough money to replace our junky car that died, someone gave us a truck. God has always provided. We’ve been able to avoid debt for the most part and always get the bills paid. We’ve never had much left over to save. It’s been good for me. We’ve learned to live simply and forego luxuries such as new cars, name brand clothes, and salon visits. Our home furniture and décor is mostly hand-me-downs and second hand finds.

My promotion in May has changed our situation. According to an article I read on MSN.com we’re on the lower end of the middle class. For the first time in our lives, we’re thinking about purchasing life insurance and contributing to my retirement plan. After four years of apartment living, we’re looking to buy a house again. We’re having so much fun searching the internet for houses. Unbelievably they pre-approved us for a $180,000 loan! That’s crack talk, as in, they’re on it! We can reasonably afford a $100,000 house while still saving a little. I’m so excited, I want to start packing! Ideally we will wait till after the first of the year to see what our tax situation will be and finish out our apartment lease. We will continue looking to get some ideas in the mean time. The market is in our favor and we should be able to get a great deal. Hopefully by next Christmas, I’ll have my tree and decorations out of storage for the first time in five years! I’ve really missed it.

We still plan on keeping our simple lifestyle. There are a few furniture items that are desperate for an upgrade, but I will find a bargain somewhere. I want so much to be a good steward of what God has given me. Is it more important that my house décor reflects the latest styles, or would that money be better donated to an international ministry that provides people with food and clean drinking water? It’s not wrong to decorate your house of course. It’s a great form of creative expression and helps make a house a home, but we live like kings compared to half the world, so I can sacrifice some style. I don’t technically NEED a single picture on a wall or curtains in the window, but I like these things. I don’t think that’s wrong, but I have food to eat and clean drinking water so it’s easy for me to say. It’s hard for me to know where to draw the line. My friend Scott has expressed similar dilemmas. I pray that God will give me wisdom and keep my greed in check. I don’t want to conform to the standards of the world but to live in a way as to honor Him. I want to use my home for ministry such as hosting small group Bible studies or to be a safe haven for some of Jason’s high school students when they need a place to come and talk. My heart just aches for holiness in these areas. My flesh wants HGTV to give me a home makeover. What is the correct balance? I don't usually as for comments, but I would LOVE your opinions on this one.