Coming to my senses

This passed Sunday in church the visiting minister preached from Luke 15 vs 11-24. The verses that stood out most for me were verses 17-20.

They read: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father."

I saw myself in these verses with regard to my financial situation. To most folks, I am broke. To others, I am one of the "working poor". Yes, I have a job. No, I am not up to date on my bills. As a matter of fact, the only bills that I am able to pay each month are my rent, car insurance, phone, cable (the very very basic package...and I once had that shut off for four months to try and get a handle on things), internet service, food and gas.

Yet there are some pretty biggies that I didn't list that simply have not been paid because they can not be paid. There just isn't enough money. Well, at least that's what I thought...until Sunday's message. I now realize that I have been fooling myself.

Yesterday I sorted through all of the bills that have not been paid for MONTHS and when I was done, there was a sea of bills around me. HUNDREDS! Yes, many are from the same creditors who just keep mailing past due notices month after month after month, which have now become debt collection notices, and I have decided that it is time to reconcile those accounts. It will probably take me the rest of my life to do so, but it's what a responsible adult must do. I must pay those bills, someway, somehow. Sure, it'll probably mean that I will have to do without a WHOLE LOTTA STUFF (which is crazy because I don't have or buy much as it is), but it that's what it means, then that's what it means.

So, the first step in the process is to contact my creditors and see what/if anything can be done about reducing the amounts that I owe. Once that's done, I'll figure out what step two is. Bottom line is this...I am ready to be a LENDER and not a BORROWER.

I have come to my senses and it's time to get my act together. It won't be easy, I know, but what in life ever is.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: For those of you in deep debt (like me), what are YOU doing to get out of it? Do you see a hopeful light at the end of the tunnel or do you feel like the light is just a train coming to run you over?

Talk to me!

Til next time...