Being Rich in Poverty

These thoughts have been weighing on my heart and mind lately.  I want God to use this blog to minister to others, and this is one of many topics that I feel God's leading to address.  It is with much prayer that I'll type this out, and I pray God will use it to his glory.

I wrote this almost 6 years ago ... and never felt led to hit "publish".   Over the last 3 years, a great deal has changed in our life and home, most notably is that I now work with VIPkid and we live in an apartment.  God has blessed us beyond what we asked.

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According to the American poverty statistics, my family is poor.

This video is fairly accurate ....  http://www.povertyusa.org/the-state-of-poverty/poverty-usa-tour/

BUT ... 

I found this "How Rich Are You?" tool ... and while I'm not 100% sure how accurate it is, I'm pretty sure it is close.  And according to that - we are in the top 15% of the world.  At least 84% of the world makes less than we do ...
I did notice that this does not take into consideration how many people live in your family.
 BUT  ...  even if we only brought in $4000 a year - we would STILL be in the top 15%.

Now, while in America, family sizes tend to be 2 or 3 children - in 3rd world countries  families are often 5 or more children.  I think this widens the gap even farther.


But I'm not here to complain about being poor ...  because on most days - we don't notice it much.

Most day's I'm really thankful for how rich we are.

Just look at all of these BLESSINGS!

1.  We have a house - it's a trailer house, and it's really drafty and the walls are thin.  BUT it has nearly 1000 sq. ft, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a (usually) working kitchen, and too much furniture.  The roof doesn't leak (even though a few windows do).  It sits on my parents property - so we don't pay rent nor a house payment.   How many people can say they have that much space, locking doors, running water, adequate sewage removal, warm beds ... and other benefits of having your own walls and your own land?  Not only that, but we also have cooling and heating!

2.  We have plenty of clothes and shoes and bedding - we have lots of friends and relatives - there always seems to be somebody available to give us clothes.  We carefully store our bedding each Spring, so we have plenty of blankets - and we stay warm, even when a storm knocks out the electricity.  Sometimes shoes are a bit of a challenge - but usually if I let it be known that we've moved to a new shoe size - somebody meets that need.  When Scholar suddenly grew out of his summer sandals, a friend found a pair at a garage sale, and a cousin sent some down that her son could no longer wear along with a bonus pair of shoes for church, which was a huge blessing!   Sunshine got so many clothes given to her at 12 months, that I donated half of them - even after 3 other friends and relatives pulled items out for their daughters.  Who cares if they are second hand - they all still looked great!

3.  We eat.  Not just one meal a day, we eat 3 times a day, and the young ones get a snack.  Some meals are bland and quite repetitive, but we are nowhere close to doing without completely.  When our cupboards were getting very low this summer, and we were down to mostly beans (of all types) and rice, when we had no cereal or peanut butter .....  A friend brought us 5 or 6 large boxes of food - a friend of hers was cleaning out her pantry ... could we use the food?  Inside were 10 boxes of cereal, 2 jars of peanut butter, and lots of seasoning and veggies and lots more.  It didn't matter to us if the exp date was getting close - this was manna from heaven!  And even had we not gotten those boxes - we would not have starved - because we still are pulling out and fixing "mystery packages" from our freezer.  I really need to label our left overs better.

4.  We have cell phones.  Both of us.  Nothing fancy and nothing new.

5.  We have a paid for van.  It is ours and it is pretty faithful.  Cars don't last forever though - so we are wondering how God will provide that need when we get there.  We've been down the road of "car repairs exceed the cost of a car payment every month" at least twice before, so we've been blessed that over the last 3 years, this car has not needed a lot of expensive repairs.  We live out in the country - walking on a high traffic highway is not an option, and we don't have public transportation out here - or even many friends nearby to carpool.  So a car that transports 8 is a HUGE blessing - the kids can bring friends home on Sunday from church!

6.  I have 4 amazing kids that I am able to homeschool.  And even though I was not able to afford any new curriculum this year - we've been able to adapt or borrow anything that we really needed.  Because I've homeschooled for 15 years, I have a ton of resources at my fingertips.  I consider my children my absolute most prized "possessions".  They are priceless.

7.  We have internet - it's not the fastest connection - but it is faster than dial-up.  And with 5 computers using it for school and job searches, it has paid for itself a dozen times over.   Yes, we have a lot of OLD computers.  They also take up a lot of space - which is why I am so grateful that my Dad allows us to use part of his house to school in every day.  With the internet, I have access to ideas, information, and friends and family all day and all night.

8.  We can freely attend church.  Every one of my kids has their own Bible.  I have a ton of Bible resources and tools that we own - some belonged to our parents - but they are easily available.  We don't sneak to church, or huddle with flashlights with a forbidden copy of the Bible.  My kids can sing their church songs and practice their memory verses outside as much as they want to ... and it's OK.   I must also mention all of the friends and relatives that pray for us daily.

9.  My kids have toys ... tons of toys.  Between hand me downs and pass it arounds and a couple of generous relatives at Christmas - we have dolls, blocks, trains, Little People, tinker toys, legos, videos to watch, computer games (for PC), books to read, cars, bikes, and more.  Some days it can get rather overwhelming.
They don't have the latest gadgets or the latest toys - we don't know the latest fads, music, movies, or TV shows ... and we really don't miss them much.  It is tons of fun to play with a cousin's Wii ... or watch movies on their iphones and ipads ... but when we come home at night, we are not moping about what we don't have.  They still read with the old Leap Pads, work puzzles by hand, and dig for treasure in real dirt.   I actually am quite amused at what my kids do wish for at birthday's and Christmas - sometimes is it quite unusual.

10.  The "Stuff" of life.  We have dishes, pots and pans, freezers, gizmos, knick nacks, cameras, canisters, VCRs, and so much STUFF.  It is amazing how much you can acquire without even trying.  I'm not a shopper - and yet my house steadily fills up.  Some stuff is hand me downs or "family heirlooms", some we've had forever, most of it was given to us through the years.  This summer, I've been going through my mom's things (you know, she didn't take it with her when she died - and she only wore one set of clothes and a bit of jewelry when they buried her) and over and over I've wondered how we all manage to accumulate so much of so little real value.  And with so many people purging their homes of clutter ... it is very easy to come by more stuff!


Bonus:  The one thing that makes me the richest though ... my salvation.   No matter how poor I consider myself, no matter how rich I could ever become ... it is all worthless if I have turned my back on Christ's offer of salvation.  Most of my family feels the same way, as do most of my friends.   It will be a wonderful and joyful occasion as we each check out our mansions in heaven, and giggle and smile and hug and sing our way through eternity.

Yeah - I'm RICH.

Dear Santa .... I Just Want Ends To Meet

Our family does, in fact, know that there is no Santa.   We have never promoted Santa, but we don't shun those that do either - as many in our family celebrate with Santa.

My kids know that the economy is quite bad and people are struggling everywhere - many struggle as much as we do and many far more than we do.

They also know that the best gift you can give is to love and care for each other and the joy of celebrating Jesus coming to earth as a man to die on the cross to pay for our sins.

The thing is ... for a family like ours, living below the poverty line, Christmas and birthdays and other celebrations can be overwhelming and somewhat depressing.  The rest of the time, we make do and life just keeps going - wanting more often doesn't even cross our minds.  We manage to make do and stretch meals and such and be happy about it ... but when faced with "extra" anything - we just don't have it ... like asking a cat to fly.   On the other hand, because others have a level of "living" that is so far above ours ... they make huge assumptions that may or may not be true.    For those that feel entitled or are newly poor  or always out seeing what other have .... they may want or expect more - but for those of us living by faith and trusting God for our food and provisions, we've been doing this for more years than we care to count - sometimes for generations, and we don't get out much ... what we expect and want can be so VERY different than what the status quo thinks we should want.

What we have or don't have - has nothing to do with how happy we are.   I get "down" at Christmas not because of what I don't have or cannot afford, not nearly as much as, I WANT to give to others and have not figured out how to do so in a manner than is helpful to others.

So what would be a practical gift to a family that is struggling to stay afloat and off tax dollars?  (While I'm going to use my family experience for ideas here ...  this will be true of many families here in the USA this year - maybe you know others in the same boat we are in?)

Food - You can ask what they like, or give a gift card, or take them shopping and let them fill a cart with what they need and want.   What may sound like great food to you - may not appeal to another family.  Our family is heavy on the allergies - we are 80% gluten and 90% dairy free ... not all of us can do peanuts.   People's eyes tend to glaze over when they ask if they can bring us a meal and find out the list of allergies - although I don't consider us hard to cook for at all.   Still, our pantry is quite small - 3 of our cupboards, so surprising us with a large quantity of food, especially if it can spoil (and I would imagine that most others would feel the same) might not be a good idea.  Food is often an area that is deeply slashed in a budget - even Food Stamps may not be much help, especially if a family is large and/or homeschools, or like us, does not have an actual rent payment.

Gas/ Car/ Insurance - Filling a tank with gas, or a gas card, in this economy is a HUGE help.   In fact, any help in keeping the family or work car going would be welcome.  Maybe new tires or an oil change.  Or help with the car insurance.  Most poor have the minimum amount of insurance with high deductibles - helping them get a little better coverage could be a huge help.   Car usage is another area that families will trim, but it is also one of the easiest areas to go into debt.

Home Repairs or Weather Proofing - houses tend to have problems, and while we KNOW that fixing a problem will save us money, getting the money to fix the problem can be a big problem, and often, we don't really know where to start to fix it ourselves.  And if you offer to fix something - follow through.   Drafty homes are hard to heat or cool, and even harder to keep swept and dusted.

Clothes - This may or may not be helpful.  People tend to give a lot of second hand clothing, and this is one area where there may not be a need - poor often have more clothing than the middle class.  We've had no real problem keeping ourselves clothed - though styles and colors can be less than ideal.   For us in particular, shoes are often where we need help, and in clothing our "odd boy".   There are plenty of girls handing around clothes in our family - but very few boys.  So check with a family before you just drop off clothes.  And make sure they are clean and folded.  There is nothing worse than sorting somebody else's dirty laundry that has been sitting for weeks or months.

Bug Spray or Traps - Because we tend to live in older houses, we tend to get bugs.   An exterminator is not on our list of affordable items.   Still, the "good stuff" is pricey.  You might want to ask first, as some people may be offended that you thought they had bugs!  Even if they do.   You might could offer the "extras" from spraying your own home.

Garden or Landscaping - Tools to take care of the property, clippers, rakes, shovels, water hoses.   Seeds, plants, and such.  Ask them what they would like to do in the yard.  Chances are "weeds" will not be the answer.   If you don't have a working lawn mower - you can't keep the weeds cut.   Then pitch in and help make it a reality.  Sometimes knowing what to do or the tools to do a job are all that is holding someone back.   Money for yard work is often non-existent in a low income budget.

Family "toy" - Larger purchases are  usually skipped unless it becomes critical.   Often a second hand replacement would be very welcome.  Couches, chairs, dressers, TV, bedding, ... or even real toys ... swing set or bikes.   Ask them, what is one thing you wish you could buy or replace.  The answer is likely to be surprising.  And let them think about it.    Usually, there is a huge list of things ... my list would include a new Queen mattress, recover the couch, better TV, deck or better steps, greenhouse, Tablet computer ...  all things we have deemed that we can "live without" and rarely give a second thought, but to choose ONLY one item at a spur the moment ... that would be a challenge!

Date Night - I don't get out much, and even though it is always with the Ref, it is always rushed.  To be able to just relax together without "a care in the world" ....  movie or a show, a meal, an overnight cabin (plus gas money to get there) ....  or even a marriage seminar or parenting seminar.  Just relaxed time together.   Financial stress can be a HUGE stress in a marriage.

School Money / Supplies - whether homeschooling or public schooling - there are expenses involved in education.   For us, it is huge amazing when someone says, "Can I buy one thing on your curriculum list?"  or  they give or let us borrow from their own supplies.

One on One Time with a child - Even in our home, where we are home alone with the kids 24/7.  Our kids don't get out much.  Taking them shopping for new shoes, shirts to match that skirt that they wear to church all the time, craft supplies ... or to a movie, museum, Zoo, or art show, .... or anything else .... it helps the stress level of the child, and it is something exciting to talk about later.   Even if the parents try to hide the budget and costs from the children, they will pick up on the stress and the constant "no".

Bills - There are always so many.  Offering to pay the next water bill, or electric bill, or the rent.  Or even a credit card.   Ask for a bill that "would NOT get paid this month".

Home Upgrade - help paint a room, re-tile a floor, a new fixture in the bathroom.  It can give a whole new outlook on their home and put a smile on their face.   If you are upgrading your own home - especially if the items you are removing are still in really good shape - consider blessing someone else with that extra half can of paint, or the faucets that just didn't go with your new decor in the bathroom, or the carpet you just replaced in your home (assuming it is still in pretty good shape and doesn't smell.)     You might be surprised what can be given away instead of thrown away.   Many won't know how to fix items or have funds to work on a project, so be willing to install or help supply paint brushes or other materials.  

Prayers and a listening ear can also help.  Listen to their needs, pray for them, and pray WITH them.



Are there other ways you could suggest help to those in need?

another similar article   ....    Do  you know of others?

http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2011/06/how-to-help-when-hard-times-hit.html