Thanks, Berta!  Smile.  That is what the LORD was telling me last night.  I'm still waiting for the ax to fall with exactly how much I owe due to a clerical error that I am being held responsible for because I didn't catch it.  But the bottom line is that the advice I gave Rhonda is good for me, too.  The LORD will get me through, it's just a matter of how and how much it is going to sting in the learning process.

It seems to be a way of life for me.  I set out in a sailboat with a full sail, a boat full of friends and a beautiful day, all is well.  Then, suddenly, I wake up as if from a nap (not unlike waking up after three days last year), am in the middle of a storm in a broken, sinking boat, alone, and have no idea how I got there.  I panic at first, then realize the LORD is still in charge of the storm, and get through...albeit painfully...after a while. As I say, after a lesson or two along the way.  But I do tend to hear the voices of my dead parents telling me it's my fault every time.  I do try to be more careful but things tend to slip by me.  It's just a matter of what and when.

And it's nothing compared to what you folks come through, including Gail out there, weathering storms with grace.  I want to be like y'all when I grow up.  Smile.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: List Techie <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Dec 1, 2003 6:21 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: PRAYER FOR FINANCES

Praying, Bro!  But, you know me, I've got to comment on something. <grin>
So I'll comment on this part of what you wrote to Carol:

> Part of my shame is what a lousy witness I am in all of this to let
> stuff happen without seeing it coming.

Yep, that's just what the enemy would love for you to do:  get on a shame
and guilt trip for being human!  I don't know the specifics;  maybe you
should have been able to see it coming.  Even if that's the case, so what?
You made a mistake?  Trust me, we all have.  Your real witness will be in
how you handle it now, how you trust the Lord to get you through.  Cause
I can pretty much guarantee the people watching your witness have made their
share of mistakes, too.  Probably had a few financial crises of their own,
and maybe resorted to some less-than-Godly ways out.  So ditch that shame;
now's the chance for your witness to shine!  And a chance for God's power
to be made manifest in your weakness.

God bless,
Roberta