I knew this day would come.  It’s so predictable that it’s almost funny.  Almost.  Here I was thinking that I was all big and bad and brave for telling others about a certain level of financial success my wife and I have had recently.  (Not really, but it is both cool and humbling to get to share how using Biblical principles has helped my wife and I financially.) 

This is what I mean by predictable.  I’ve found that any time I’ve worked my way to a certain level of “achievement” (whatever that means) that I’m pretty quickly tested in that area.  Call it “Murphy” or call it “life happening.”

Anyway, my company is switching from one company credit card to another and in the process I’ve found that I’ll have $600 tied up for 45 days.  Not fun and not expected. 

But there’s a lesson here about ‘hope.’ 

I’m trying to teach myself that no matter what bad thing seems to happen or how difficult life seems to have become, I can choose to be positive.  To be hopeful.  I can get out of bed every morning and remind myself of the blessings in my life (and the blessing of my life.)   I can prepare my heart to work through challenges that will come my way.  Because they will come.  And I can choose to smile and be positive and even encourage others.

I’m not saying this comes easy for me.  (My wife will give an ‘amen’ to that.)  But what I’m learning is that I live with a “blessed hope.”  This isn’t just a hope for a better eternity.  It’s being hope-filled every day because I have a Father fighting for me and encouraging me and helping me with the “missing $600” parts of my life.  I never have to worry about being fatherless or abandoned.  Somehow God will provide what we need to live whether it takes 3 days or 45 days to get the money returned.