Rant: Dis-connect

It's amazing how when people get use to a certain life style, they sometimes forget what it was like before. Sara and I have made certain choices that limit our income dramatically. Firstly, I will say that we are blessed beyond measure. We have been able to maintain a wonderfully full lifestyle. But, we made the conscience decision to allow Sara to stay home to take care of R3. Sara is a wonderful mother, and we did not want R3 (and possibly another) to go to a school were we essentially let "someone else" raise our child. We made a promise to the Lord that we would raise him to love him and his laws. R3 has a great gig going. He watches Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Cars, and etc. He has play time. We have a whole mess of Thomas the Tank Engine tracks, cars, stations, etc. In other words, he has everything a little boy would want. I make an effort to put him to bed every night, and read him a Bible story. We run a strict house hold, but also one of love, forgiveness, and fun. In other words, we have put our efforts into building a good life for R3, instead of trying to amass earthly wealth. He is comfortable. He is not ignored. Most importantly, he is loved. I'm not saying this can't be done if my wife had a job, but it would not be as consistent. Financially, we shouldn't have all that we do. God, like I said earlier, has blessed us beyond measure. Our ship runs like a well oiled machine. We just don't have the money to blow on "luxury items." Items like computers, cars, boats, and trips. Sometimes, I feel like people just don't understand our situation. I will, by no means, say we are poor. We just don't have much extra cash. What we spend, we spend on things that can be seen as an investment of sorts. People that know me, know that I always have a project I'm working on. For instance, we just finished our home theater. I love getting up in the attic and doing the manual labor. Running wires, measuring, cutting, and so forth. In fact, the way I did our last house was quite unique. So unique in fact, it help sell the house for more than it should have. In other words, we spend money in a way that it will eventually come back somehow. Some day, I hope to take our family on big vacations. I promised Sara to take her to Greece or Europe someday. I also promised my Asian family I would be back to visit them as well. With any luck, R3 could go, and I can show him the wonders of Japan. We just don't have the ability to do that stuff right now, however. And you know what? I don't care. I'm investing in R3's future. When R3 grows up, he will be well adjusted, he'll look back on a family that loved him no matter what, and he will have a history of no regrets. I may shelter him some, but I want him to experience everything the world has to offer. Getting back on topic. There are many things that Sara and I don't have the "luxury" of doing/owning/enjoying. And it bugs me when people expect me to have that ability. Sometimes it seems that people are sometimes even put-off or completely lost by our "inability" to do these things. I have made my choice of lifestyle, and instead of having that fleeting excitement of doing/owninig/enjoying something, I have the comfort of knowing that R3 will have the best childhood I could give.

This is our inspiration: Titus 2: 11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

This verse has hung over his bed since we dedicated him to God.