Welcome Changes

"Now to Him, Who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."  Ephesians 3:20

So spring hasn't sprung yet, but we Nolands are celebrating two other visible and welcome events.  

1) Julie has had a dark mole on her shoulder since she was a teenager. Multiple doctors have diagnosed it as harmless through the years, but any friend or family member who saw it told Julie to get it checked or that she had better keep an eye on it. However, when Addy's little fingers found and played with the mole (anything's a toy if you play with it) Julie, who's terrified of needles and knives, made an appointment to have it removed.  Even more importantly, she followed through and let them remove it.  They did a biopsy, "just to be sure," and discovered the mole wasn't harmless at all. Julie has since had additional abnormal cells removed.  We've been a bit in shock since melanomas aren't supposed to threaten sweet daughters in their early twenties.  Praise God for concerned, vocal friends and family members, and for tiny probing fingers. 

2) Our second celebration centers on finances: for the first time in fourteen years we're financially clear of credit card debt and have an emergency savings account.  Our problems started with a little bit on a credit card and grew to be a little bit on several credit cards before blooming into real debt on several cards. Just when we were sure we couldn't do it because of a house that wouldn't sell and two sets of utility bills, etc.- God sent the tools, people and jobs to help us pull out of the quick sand and step forward on solid ground.  In two years God has helped us pay off (and tear up) all credit cards, pay a large tax debt for 2011, and manage medical bills for shoulder surgery.  Praise God for Dave Ramsey's plan and for FBC Benton's push for Financial Peace University. Praise God for baby steps and strides of marital determination, teamwork and self-discipline. We're even getting a tax refund this year - unheard of in this house for decades. 

What "harmless" little thing lurks in your life?  How is God highlighting the potential for disaster?  What is He using to get your attention? In our cases, God used concerned comments, toddler hands, bills, and a financial class to drive us in the right direction. It would have been easier to keep sliding downward and for Julie to ignore what she couldn't see, but praise God, He kept working with us until we responded. 

Real change takes time, but a willing heart plus God's power leads to change worth celebrating.