R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts
“A man is not a financial plan.” ~ Dee Lee, Financial Expert
In a way, the quote above makes me mad. Before my midlife divorce, my then-husband was not my financial plan … he was my husband, my lover, my very best friend, my promised life-partner. We had a financial plan together. As baby-boomers, we married during college, started a family three years later. I contributed to that financial plan by working until our first baby was born and by taking care of the children and things on the home front so he could concentrate on his career. Of course I would have done things differently if I had had any idea that he would want to leave our ‘life-time’ partnership when I was 54 years old. I had no money of my own. And though I had done free-lance advertising work and helped with my family’s business, I had little real employment experience. I know that many of you reading this blog are in the same boat. After 15, 20 or even 30 years out of the paid workforce, you now have to figure out how to support yourself and maybe you even still have children at home. Your situation may seem daunting at best and hopeless at worst. But I want to tell you, as discouraged as you may be, it is not hopeless! There are resources available to you. You will have to use all of your determination, discipline and faith, but you can and will get through this. Don’t let money become your security or your obsession, or your constant focus. Take a deep breath, get some help, and move forward step by step. This experience, though challenging, can be the turning point to a new life for you, not just financially, but emotionally, physically and spiritually as well. There are millions of stories of women in your position who have created great wealth! You have your whole life ahead of you. Realize that with God, you can face absolutely everything … even your financial situation with assurance and confidence. Remember, God will never, ever leave you no matter who else does. God promises that you will have a life, not of mediocrity, but a life of abundance and blessings pressed down and flowing over! Believe that truth … even in regard to your finances. Find out what God wants to do with this new life of yours. Give it to him. Be fearless! You’ll be amazed at what he can do!
“Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, ‘I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,’ we can boldly quote, ‘God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?’” ~ Hebrews 13: 5-6 (The Message)
