Have you ever felt like your life circumstances aren’t going to change? Like no matter how hard you try to move forward, there are only more obstacles? This was the very topic we discussed last week during Faith and Finance. I’m always amazed at how the Lord makes plans for the right time to discuss a heart issue of obedience.
Over the last four weeks, ten participants have begun the 12-week journey through the Faith and Finance class. This is the third time we have offered this class, and I have the privilege of facilitating the conversations for the first time with two volunteers. We meet each week for an hour after the Community Meal and each of us (volunteers included) has weekly homework to track finances and participate in a weekly challenge.
As in any new class, the first week of class was quiet as everyone was unsure of what to expect and if they would connect with the other students. By the end of the third week of class I had to say “Alright, listen up, we have to keep moving on!” The participants quickly connected and created community with one another, and they realized that money is hard to navigate for all of us. Each person has very different story from losing a spouse which in turn meant loss of income; a college student trying to work and pay bills; a single mom making her paycheck stretch; a father with a new job trying to be responsible for his family; and others wanting to be obedient to wisely spend and be generous to others. Though our circumstances are different, there is a common desire to be wise with our finances and obedient with the assets God has blessed us with.
As we sit around the tables facing each other there have been conversations about what we can internally control versus things that are outside of our control. The real, raw conversations made me very humbled to get to hear the frustration, defeat and resilience in each person’s voice.
Last week I listened as a couple shared how they felt that they didn’t fit in the group because of their current situation; they thought they had nothing to offer. Immediately the class let them know that this was a community and while maybe today they have no income, things will not always be the way they are now. Those obstacles that seem immovable will move and the time they invest to learn now will bless them in days to come.
Over the coming weeks we will be talking about budgets, saving, recognizing needs versus wants, credit and so much more, empowering these ten so they can make informed decisions and break cycles that have caused broken relationships.
Each of us has signed a commitment that reads, “We will support and pray for one another through financial obstacles.” Would you commit to pray alongside us that each participant will not let obstacles hold them back from being a part of this Faith and Finance community of financial education and encouragement?