My Raisin Bread

It has been a long time since my last blog. Life and the holidays got in the way, or should I say, rather, that I did not let blogging get in the way of my life and the holidays. I suppose this is sort of a belated holiday post. Most of you are probably done with Christmas leftovers already... the turkey and treats are all gone and the only remainder there is is the few extra pounds that seem to stick around. Well, this is one last holiday leftover.

December 28th marks six-and-a-half years that I have been married to my wonderful husband and this got me reflecting on all that has been in our journey together. I was reminded yet again of raisin bread. Raisin bread has come to be a reminder (an Ebenezer of sorts) of God's provision in my marriage.

A little background for you: Joel and I married when we were both in Bible college (insert joke about "bridal college" here). We met and started dating in first year, were engaged the beginning of third year and were married between third and fourth year of college. Needless to say that we were indeed poor students. We were living in the roach infested married housing on the campus in a little appartment paying 475/month rent. Joel and I were both full time students and besides that I worked part time at Extra foods as a cashier. Neither of us had ever lived outside our parent's house before we were married either so there was a defined learning curve on many things including finances. We were living on a part time salary and had some savings, but not much. We learned quickly we had to make a tight budget and stick to it down to the letter.

I vividly remember grocery shopping one day and I saw a loaf of raisin bread. All of a sudden I would have loved to have a slice of raisin toast with a little butter. I picked it up, looked at it, but had to put it back. A four dollar loaf of raisin bread was out of the question because we couldn't afford it. I remember thinking to myself at that time: "I don't ever need to be rich, but I would really like to be able to live in such a way that I could up and buy a loaf of raisin bread without breaking the budget."

Since then we have been through many things financially. God has always provided and I am amazed at the many different avenues He has used to show us his faithfulness, and so blessed that we have never had any debt at all (including student loans). I consider myself blessed to have learned early on in our marriage how to trust God even when things seem impossible (specifically regarding finances). I can't say it was really a fun lesson to learn but ever so valuable.

So, this year, on our sixth Christmas together, our little family had a "Raisin Bread Christmas" (although it did not involve eating any actual raisin bread). This year, I felt so blessed to be able to celebrate Christmas generously, and without feeling strained. I was able to spoil my husband and kids a bit, and felt pretty spoiled myself. I know if you compared our Christmas to a lot of people's it wouldn't seem like much at all, but to me it was so significant. The holidays are not about material things and I don't want to make it sound like that is what is important, because it is not, but as I celebrated this year, there was an extra dose of thankfulness in my heart as I looked back and remembered the raisin bread.

Looking forward to what is to come this year, there are many things that are looking a little scary and we're not really sure how things will piece together. All I know is that my God is a provider, and I have to simply trust and obey... and remember.

I hope this new year finds you well,

Love, M