“Keep your life free from love of money,
and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor
forsake you.”
~Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
My
Dad: “Alexis, you love too much money!”
Me:
“I don’t love money; I recognize my need for it!”
This
is a real-life script of a conversation that replays often after I vocalize my
desire to be wealthy and never in need financially. Allow me to explain: For
the past several years, I’ve been struggling financially but excelling in
creative pursuits, which is part of my dream, thank God. But as with any
creative person, you deal with the being a “starving artist” before you hit the
big time and boy, am I still in that stage!
It
can be discouraging to work so hard yet still be a “starving artist” but I’ve
realized my need to stay grateful because I’m not “starving” in a literal sense
when it comes to access to good food or agape love. I’m only starving financially, which is actually a
blessing because I have the support of family and friends who care about me. If
anything, this whole experience is teaching me to trust God with little so He
can trust me with much (Luke 16:10-12). But even if He doesn’t make me famous
or wealthy, I will still serve Him because He is wonderful and my true treasures
are in Heaven, not here on Earth.
Through
it all, I’m also learning how to be content with what I have and enjoy the
blessings as they are ever present. You see, I’ve realized that despite being
financially “poor” and going through the issues related to that struggle, I am rich in the things that matter!
I
realize that I’d rather be rich in
the things that do matter than poor in the things that don’t matter. Making a six-figure salary
and being able to afford everything that my heart desires does not matter. But being surrounded by
loved ones who support and encourage me does
matter! Spending time with people who genuinely care about me, and not being
able to afford lavish adventures is what I’d choose over gorgeous yachts,
private jet planes and fancy dinners in exotic locations.
Becoming
closer to God while drawing near to Him during tough times and being refreshed
by His Presence and His Word is an experience that I would never trade for the
world’s wealth and wisdom. Why? Because everything that is part of this world,
all of the material possessions that we hold dear on Earth and all of the
pursuits we want to achieve, are all
fading away as this world nears end.
So
I decide to invest in eternity…an eternity spent with Jesus Christ in the
places He’s prepared His faithful followers in Heaven.
I
hope that this devotional will encourage your heart and I pray that God will
bless you with riches that matter.
A Second Chance by Alexis A. Goring
Newly single food critic and newspaper
reporter Traci Hightower is done with dating. After the man of her dreams left
her at the altar on their wedding day and ran off with the woman she thought
was her best friend, Traci resolves to focus on work and resigns herself to
being a bachelorette for life.
Marc Roberts is a political reporter who is known as Mr. Nice Guy, the one who always finishes last. However, Marc’s compassion and kindness are of invaluable help to his newly widowed sister Gina Braxton who is trying to raise her two kids in the wake of her firefighter husband’s death.
Traci and Marc may be the perfect match, but they don’t know it yet. With God’s guidance and the help of Gina’s matchmaking skills honed by her career as a bestselling romance novelist, there is hope for a happily ever after for these two broken hearts.
Marc Roberts is a political reporter who is known as Mr. Nice Guy, the one who always finishes last. However, Marc’s compassion and kindness are of invaluable help to his newly widowed sister Gina Braxton who is trying to raise her two kids in the wake of her firefighter husband’s death.
Traci and Marc may be the perfect match, but they don’t know it yet. With God’s guidance and the help of Gina’s matchmaking skills honed by her career as a bestselling romance novelist, there is hope for a happily ever after for these two broken hearts.
Purchase link for A Second Chance
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/2kAP4HX
Author Bio:
Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer
with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the
art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the
enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.
Social Media Sites:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex
Website: http://www.screenwriteralexis.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/capturingidea/
“God is Love” blog: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com
