Share in Our Joy!

So, it’s been a little while since Stephanie and I have written for the blog. It’s not that we haven’t wanted to, it’s because it has been quite busy over here in the Adams’ house and we just haven’t had the time. But it’s a good busy!

It’s amazing to have the amount of support we have had over the past few weeks. We frequently get a text, email, facebook post, or a comment on this blog from someone saying how cool it is we are doing this. I will have someone tell me they are “inspired” by us and I’m shocked as I never thought I would do something inspirational.  It’s a weird thing, really, to inspire someone by doing something we should be doing anyway. It’s not like we are going to Thailand to stop sex trafficking or anything. All we are doing is trying to get rid of debt.

I have realized, though, why that can be so inspiring.

See, everything around us tells us to “buy now and pay later”. We are told to indulge in our desires now and then worry about the consequences later. We play off our mistakes as “not a big deal” and instead of trying to correct them, we live with them. It’s sad, really. In regards to money, we live beyond our means because we want to impress our friends. We want SO BADLY for people to pour approval on us that we go out and max out our credit cards and live with a mountain of debt.

Stephanie and I struggle with that. We would love to go out more often or buy things for our friends. We know that we won’t be able to buy everyone a “nice” present for Christmas this year. That sucks because we both love to give presents. Honestly, we probably enjoy giving presents because of how it make us feel and not as much bringing joy to the other person. I have realized more and more over the years that in order for change to happen, real change, I have to be completely honest with myself. I have to examine my motives and really ask myself why I am doing what I am doing. It’s a habit that I am glad I developed before this whole debt payoff thing started.

When you really understand your motives behind what you do, you realize just how rotten you are. I have heard a few people say that budgeting is putting restrictions on God and not allowing the Spirit to move in your finances. Well, I have NEVER heard of someone maxing out a credit card because they gave too much. Usually, they spend a ton on themselves and in order to cancel the guilt they feel from being so selfish, they give a lot away. I know, I’m being really cynical, but how many people do you know that are really unselfish and are also in a lot of bad debt? I’m going to say it’s not very many.

Isn’t it crazy how a young married couple, like Stephanie and myself, can inspire ANYBODY? We don’t know anything about marriage or life as a married couple. We haven’t been through many trials together. Yet, people are telling us that we are blessing to them. In my opinion, it’s because we are being a different than what the world is telling them. And all we are doing is paying our bills! That’s so crazy to me.

I may sound like an arrogant little punk, but that’s fine. I’m not trying to sound that way. But to me our “inspiration” speaks to something so much greater than just paying debt. It speaks to the fact that every human being wants to sacrifice and do something bigger than themselves. Stephanie and I have realized that to live the life God wants us to live, we have to be debt free. He can’t use us and bless those around us if we are always have to spend our free time trying to earn some extra cash to pay debt. I’m excited for when I can just have a regular job and pour my entire life into building His Kingdom.

Stephanie and I were not placed on this earth to spend our entire lives trying to pay off debt. We were placed on this earth to bring joy to our wonderful Father in Heaven. We are here to spread His Kingdom by both word and action. I hate that debt is restricting us. And I hate that it’s restricting you. How much longer are you going to stand by and allow it to take even an ounce of your joy away? I can’t tell you how much joy I had when we paid $1000 towards our debt. I am excited for the next $1000. I am excited to make that last payment. I get a little teary just thinking about that moment.  Don’t you want to experience that same joy?

And do you want to know where that joy comes from? It comes from knowing the sacrifice it took to pay that amount. Stephanie and I didn’t spend this last Saturday sleeping in and going for a walk in the park. We spent the day cleaning houses. Do you think we want to do that? Of course not. However, our hatred for our debt far exceeds our desire to sleep in. You have to hate your debt and get angry!

So, for those of you who feel like you are drowning, I am sorry. It’s not hopeless. First of all, you have a Father whose love for you is greater than anything you can imagine. His love will never change, it is perfectly constant. Secondly, there is a way out. Start a second or third job. Clean some houses. Make something people will want to buy. Do something! The fact that His love for you will never change will sustain you through the difficult times. I’m not saying He will make you rich because He probably won’t. That’s not why you are here. He will, however, encourage your spirit when you can’t see the finish line.

Please join Stephanie and I on this journey. We would love to have some people to share in our joy

-  Brian