Journey to Rebuild finances for Mark and Family

There have been times in our family history when we have been blessed with plenty. There have been times when we have struggled to keep the storehouse full.

Our Family is in-between right now.

The Lord has taken our family on a journey. We moved to Florida from Wisconsin to give our children a better life. A life in the sun and to be able to be outdoors most of the year instead of cooped up indoors all the time.

The Lord was able to move in our family and my jobs to make things happen. I know that one journey the Lord has blessed us with is our Crossing Church family. He has brought people into our lives that have been amazing. Prayer warriors, steadfast rocks. They are there during the good and plentiful times, and they have been there with our family struggles.

One of my struggles is with my stubborn pride. I was always taught as a man to

never let anyone see your weak side, take care of everything yourself, don’t ask for help unless necessary. This thought process affected my walk with God for a long time. I kept praising his presence but would keep him at arm's length. I was afraid to let go of MY things, whether it was a blessing or a burden.

When I made my recommitment to the Lord, our father, I was not expecting the trials we would go through. The journey we would be put on. I have been finding peace as I let the Lord take control even when things seem like they are getting worse. He has pushed me to my limits. Forcing me to examine myself and the man that I had become. I listened to the message every week. I listened to God speaking to me while reading his word and listening to worship music. I listened to others tell their stories. Stories of God’s love, his strength and his Glory. I even joined the 90-day tithe challenge.

I found myself in such a toxic job that my boss would yell and scream and curse in my face. My coworker stated, “this is normal later; he will come out and ask you to go to lunch like it never happened.” When I found this to be the case, I knew I was in a toxic work environment. I knew this was “common” but not normal. I prayed about this, and the moment came when the Lord revealed that it was time to move on. During Covid, it was a hard time finding any job. So I took a contract job that promised to be remote. I found out after starting that this was not to be. The job I took had me driving from the Ruskin area to downtown Orlando. I remember praying to God. “Lord, I asked for a position that would give me more time with the family and more time for the Church. Not spending all my time on the road driving back and forth”. God told me to be patient. This is a steppingstone. Man..was he right. After two months, I was contacted by a former coworker who had moved into a management position. They had a contract job in St Pete but 100% remote for nine months. I knew this was it. So I spent more time with the family and served at Church in the Children’s ministry. We struggled with keeping up with bills, living paycheck to paycheck. I had to forgo Health insurance because it was so expensive as an individual plan. We had insurance for one month but found out they would not insure me because of contracting covid and having a hospital stay last year. Insurance got out of hand expensive to cover a family of 4.

While working the contract job, this company offered me a full-time position. I prayed about it and was blessed to get the job and compensation I was asking for. My job would start in 3 weeks. Then came the notice that we were behind in our rent. I knew all our money went to bills, and nothing was left. We even had a negative balance that I knew would eat half of my contractor paycheck. I discovered that automatic payments for bills had left us with nothing for rent. I was able to work with the landlord company and explain the situation. They said they would hold off and wait for the payment. When my next check came, it was #1 short because of Holidays (Contractors don’t get paid holidays), and the negative balance in our account was already gone.

I started my full-time job. Then the news came because of my start date; I would not be paid until; April 1. The company paydays are the 1st and 15th of each month. Now we cannot make another month of rent, with nothing in our account. We cannot make the back rent, the current rent, and we cannot afford to move. So now we have come in need of two months' rent with utilities before our eviction. $4400.00.

I know the Lord is good and provides for his children. This is another step in which I HAVE to trust in the Lord almighty. I have no choice but to trust in him. Isn’t it ironic how he brings us to a point where we have to trust in him?

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.