There have been a number of “rough roads” in my life. My brother’s car accident and subsequent permanent disability, my parents’ divorce, my husband’s and my car accident – it seems to me that I have had more than my fair share of trauma in my 42 years of life.
Currently, the rough road we’re walking is financial. In one year, our homeowner’s insurance doubled, due to the risk of wildfire, living in California. We have an aging house, which seems to need a major repair or overhaul annually at this point. And the tech world, where my husband is employed, is underpaying their workers across the board. Lastly, my family needs required me to leave the tax world and enter public education – more than halving my salary as well. There have been discussions in earnest about selling our California home and moving to St. Louis, where my husband is from. The cost of living is lower and we could buy a property outright, with no mortgage. Does this native California girl want to move to somewhere with red politics and snow? No, she does not! But it may come to that if things continue as they are.
But here’s the re-frame: we are (mostly) healthy. We have a roof over our heads, food on the table, heat for the winter cold, and each other. My children enjoy strong friendships, we have a wonderful community out here in Pleasant Hill, and we are stable. Even though the math of our budget doesn’t always “work”, we find a way to make it through every month, and hold out hope for better times. God, or The Universe, as I like to call Them, always seems to provide. And it is that reliance on faith that brings us closer to God/The Universe.
Prayer: May we remember to be grateful for our gifts, to share them with others whenever possible, and know that “Everything Is Gonna Be Okay”, in the grand scheme of things. Amen
Elizabeth Robertson