This weekend was sort of rough for Jen. She had to come to terms with a couple of adult like issues that until now she was in the clouds about. One – the world doesnt necessarily revolved around her, and two – we are not rich, no in fact I struggle and what many would consider lower middle class in socio-economic terms. Not easy things to face.
The first came about when we sat down and had a discussion about her trip to Europe in 2015. It will not only take a great deal of volunteering at different functions to earn money but will also take a great contribution on my part financially for her to do this. I told her that I believe it is more than a worthwhile cause and that because I believe it would be a great learning experience and a great experience over all that I was willing to do what I could to help make sure she goes on the trip. At the same time though I need to have her do her part. She has taken on a part time small cleaning job that pays her once a month. I told her that I believe it is important for now for her to plan on using that money as part of working towards the trip. She didnt like it. She has so many things she would like to buy, had set out to buy with the money she was making at the cleaning. I looked at her and I spoke to her of the value of what she would be spending that money on versus the value of going someplace like Europe and going and doing that type of experience. The value of the trip far outweighed all the material items she could think she wanted right now. It hurt her to realize this. I just felt that it was an important lesson to learn, and that it is equally important that she is a part of making it happen in more than one way. To work towards something so grand at such a young age is tough yet she has my support and the support of her troop leader. To go through and really work towards something she will have so much more pride and it will build her up so much more than if I just went ahead and paid the difference. We each have to make our sacrifices and the world isnt there to just hand you what you want. The world doesnt say that just because you worked a little for it that you will get what you want. No, often times you have to go the extra mile, put in that extra effort . . . . and when you do it is the most amazing thing in the world. A woman blossoms from a child, a woman that knows she can do it, knows what it takes to do it. . . and one that is not afraid of sacrificing a few material things in this world for the bigger picture, for the experience that might otherwise have been passed by.
Later on as I was preparing to serve the meal Jen came up to me. She said “Jonny said we were poor”. I looked at her and said “oh ya, really, hmmm.” I went on to say to her that I might be poor by many a person’s standards, I definitely wasnt rich with money or lots of toys and gadgets however. . . . I was far richer than most people I knew or had known. God blessed me with the greatest treasure in this world, the most beautiful treasure in this world and I wouldnt trade it for a million, no a zillion dollars for there is not enough money on this earth that could even compare. God blessed me with 5 children, the most amazing beautiful 5 children he could. Thats a treasure no money could ever replace. And one of those five children is the beautiful daughter standing next to me. I wouldnt trade her for any amount of money in the world for you see she has the most beautiful spirit and soul I have ever seen, she gave me back the belief that I could have a relationship with a female. She has given me so much. . . . . no God may not have blessed us with a lot of monetary things but we are far richer than most. I am far richer than many. Tears pooled in her eyes and I rubbed my hand upon her cheek. I love you Jen, being rich or poor is only a matter of perspective. God always provides for us and he always will.
