back in the 70's, as a newlywed, i started my first full-time job ... it was for a huge conglomerate, yet located within a small town ... i was a dewey eyed young thing, and my coffee time chatter involved our domestic plans and how after a few years in the work force i would "retire" ...
leo had set a budget for us, one that we stuck to religiously ... we wanted to always be able to live off of leo's salary and have mine go into savings or extras ...
i still remember the response from one of my colleagues ... i thought she was ancient at the time (maybe in her 50's ... *grin* ...) ... she sat at her desk, which was always piled high with paperwork ... a chain-smoker, her ashtray overflowed with butts ... her yellowed fingers held a cigarette, while the other hand stamped invoices and shuffled paper ... in between drags, she looked at me with world weary eyes and said "when is enough ... enough?" ... she said there will ALWAYS be something a person wants and will continue working for ..."just one more thing and it'll be enough"... apparently she'd had plans to quit for years, but she continued on for a boat - then a bigger boat - then a new car - then a fancy trip ...
the thirst for things was never quenched ...
i still think of her now and again ... and wonder if she ever retired or just died there in her little corner of the accounting department ... wanting one more thing ...
today - for me - my enough IS enough ... i handed in my notice at the salt mines in the park ... a new chapter begins ...
of course it is a bit scary ... but the Lord has always faithfully supplied our needs and blessed our lives with the desires of our hearts as well
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
25 comments:
The 2 times hubby was out of work, or working less than full time ended up being some of the best times of our married life. Things do not bring happiness. Yes, we need enough to eat and a decent place to live (not fancy, just adequate) and a few clothes to wear...and that is plenty! You are a wise woman...and I pray the LORD gives you so much for staying home and tending to Leo. Blessings...
Congratulations. :) I know this has been a big decision for you, my dear.
(hugs)
Beautifully written, Saija. The scary feeling will probably fade away quickly because you know you are doing the right thing.
He WILL supply your needs Saija, and more than your needs.
Look how he gave you that big house...Love Terry
I love this and relate to it 100%. There is a time when we have to realize that what we want and what we need are two different things. I cling to the verse in Psalms 37:25 where He tells me that he never leaves His righeous forsaken or begging bread. He is faithful!
elizabeth ... thank you for that encouragement! ... we step out in faith, and He continually blesses our lives ... it may be with so many other things beside the material ... i still keep praying for my sweetie to "feel better!" ... now that would be a wonderful thing!
jeanette ... thank you! and you & tony enjoy your wonderful vacation!! ((hugs)) backatcha!
sabine ... thank you ... and i agree, when the unknown becomes the known - it will be better ... :o)
terry ... amen! our Heavenly Father has always been faithful, i just pray that i remain faithful in all the ways that count for eternity!
pat ... being content in whatever situation i am in, is the way i try to have a witness ... and i can testify that God has wonderfully kept us, way beyond what our modest earthly income has shown ... i am a blessed woman! amen - HE is faithful!
Good for you Saiji...God will work all things together for your good!! Take care. Sandy
Wow, what a courageous transition! I'll be interested to follow what happens next.
Blessings....
Congratulations Saija. osray
I sense that you are at peace with you decision, even though it is still "a bit scary". How wonderful to truly know that God is in control and ever faithful. Congratulations to you Saija. I think Leo also must be very happy with your decision. My prayers continue for you and Leo as you embark on this new phase of your life.
way to go!
as Terry said, God sees to out needs, Bet Leo will be glad to have ya home :)
when I quit work, I thought I would go nuts, but now I don't want to leave the house!
ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH EACH OTHER!
BLESSINGS
((((HUGGS))))
cool blog...enjoyed your thoughts very much. thank you.
Congrats! I'm thrilled for you and am looking forward to reading what your new adventures will be. Right now I'm feeling I have more than enough and would like to get rid of even more of what we already have. So it is possible, I guess, to have enough! :) Blessings, Debra
thanks for your comment on my site, and thanks for the great quote...I had to borrow it.
looking forward to reading your thoughts.
sandy ... yes, i'm at peace about it and looking forward to the summer ... :o)
ginger ... at the moment, i'm hoping for a peaceful summer and maybe some cool pics to share! blessings on ya!
osray ... thanks! hope all is well with you and sweetie!
nellie ... your prayers are very much appreciated - thank you ... and it is an exciting new stage ... time to do something different!
jel ... leo is indeed ready for me to be around the house more - these 3 weeks that i've been back to work haven't seemed right - i'm with you in enjoying my home & man! blessings backatcha!
debra ... yes, i think we still have room for downsizing! especially since i hope to hit a few garage sales over the summer - since i worked weekends i never got to go! :o)
mike ... thanks for popping by ... and i'm glad you found a quote you wanted to use, if it can bless others - great!
Congratulations to you! Wonderful! What an adventure is before you... Oh, and you have been tagged by me. Hugs!
oh goodness! now you will need to travel....maybe plan a trip to visit blog friends!!!
hmmm.. maybe, its because Iv just started working, but i hope i will never have to retire :)
I just pray that I will continue to enjoy work like i do now.... or maybe, that Ill never have to do work that doesnt bring out th wild side in me!!!
I know what you mean. We remind ourselves all the time that we are CHOOSING this lifestyle. Back when we both worked, money was never an issue. But now, it often is. And I don't like that very much. Can't tell you how many timnes I've thought "hm if I just go back to work we can go back to eating out at the great places, going to movies, get a babysitter, buy a TV that actually has cable inputs for modern appliances, a refregorator that doesn't roar and allathat. But for now......
And she's right, isn't she? One more thing........... :o)
God is so faithful, and I'm sure you'll see His hand in you and your husband's lives as you depend on Him. My dad wad out of work for a long time, and God provided for us so amazingly during that time...none of us children (there are several of us) ever lacked the necessities we needed. I'll be praying for you!
Sincerely,
Little Pilgrim Pal, Hebrews 11:1
Well, you go girl! Good for you. I wish I was doing the same thing!
I'm delighted for you Saija! He WILL be faithful to provide your needs. And it is wonderful you can stay home and take care of Leo. Congratulations on your Retirement!
km ... yes and adventure is what it will be ... i like to have projects on the go & i've always enjoyed working - so we'll see what the summer holds! oh, hope to get to the tag soon ... :)
ba doozie ... ya - travel would be fun ... tho' i don't think leo can tolerate it that well ... we shall give it a trial run in july, when we have a wedding to go too (short trip) ... so you got an extra room? *grin*
ab ... well good for you about being excited re your career - i hpe you love it for many years to come!
cptnwow ... i think the time you spend with Sam is PRICELESS! good for you!! and yes, there will always be one more thing to buy or spend money on ... sometimes very good things ... maybe we get too self-reliant and forget that all good things come from our Heavenly Father ... blessings on ya!
Heb 11:1 ... prayer is the #1 thing we can give to each other ... thank you ... and it is priceless!
gayla ... i wish you could too ... maybe soon? once your talented son becomes that famous painter! :)
Claire ... thank you ... and i hope that your hubby continues to heal-up well!
Congrats. on having the courage to make the big move. I know you will enjoy ever minute of your precious time. You are an example many could follow.
Bill
bill ... time is precious, and if a body is able - well it's a blessing to be able to stay at home ... :o) ... blessings on you!
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