Don’t Fall For It…

This is going to be short and to the point.

(Disclaimer:  I’m not a stock broker, nor am I a professional or Certified Financial Planner.  This post is based on my personal opinion and not intended to be considered by anyone sane or not, as financial advice; or characterization of anyone in the financial industry.  If you think this is about you, it’s all in your head.)

My wife is interested in her retirement account because of the stock market “correction” of the past week.  Not wanting to be the Mr. Know-It-All guy that I usually think I am, I called the Retirement Planning guy at the bank and left a message with the bank teller asking for him to contact my wife to tell her how he is going to keep her from losing a lot of money in her account.  He calls her but didn’t get her.  He left a voicemail stating that “he’s” not worried about the current downturn and that she shouldn’t worry because her account is not exposed to the Asian stocks…and, besides, she’s only lost about 4%.

Her account is not exposed to Asian stocks but according to my calculator with today’s end-of-day losses, she has lost 8% in the past several days.  Has nothing to do with Asian stocks — it is a panic sell off disguised as a correction.

When the time is right, we will re-evaluate her IRA, and I think, the Retirement Planning guy, too.

Folks, let us not panic during these sell offs, it happens.  In the same consideration, don’t fall for a broker who says, “don’t worry, it will come back.”  Yeah?  You think maybe before we retire?

Be concerned…it’s not his money, yet.

I’m just sayin’

Jay 😮

1 Peter 5:7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

 

Oh yes, I’m thankful…even for what I don’t have.

Are you only happy and thankful for the good things you have?  Are you only happy and thankful for those really cool, nice people who make your life better?  Oh, and don’t forget about the feast.

Me too but…

Of course, I am first and foremost thankful to God for the sacrifice of his Son so that I may have everlasting life in His presence.  That His grace and mercy is available to me and all those who accept His Son and believe in him as their Lord and Savior.  People’s opinions don’t change the Truth.  And yes, every day is a day of thanksgiving to me.

I must say, I am truly thankful for my wonderful wife.  After many failed relationships, life is so much better having a wonderful woman to share it with…and she’s very tolerant when it comes to my next “idea” I want to pursue.  Yes, I’m thank for the house that we thought we’d never be able to afford.  I heard the previous owner didn’t fare as well as he hoped he would but when the price came down to my price range of affordability, it only took a few weeks to become the current owner.  Then there is a good working vehicle for each of us, mine 10 years old, hers current model, to drive to the jobs that both of us have when we went so long with one or both of us out of work.  I am thankful for my family and friends who do make my life better just for being a part of it.

I’m in a position at work to converse with people of all walks of life.  Some are well off financially, some not; some are happy, sad, down on their luck, as they say, some are riding the top of the wave; some are old, some young and healthy; and some have physical or medical issues each and every day of their lives.  Not knowing anything about me or my job, it often surprises me that it seems so simple that my life appears to them to be ever so easy because I just sit behind the desk, rent storage units, answer the phone and collect rent.  It is further amazing to me how often we don’t think that others go through the same types of trials we do. I apparently present a face that doesn’t show that I have any issues.  I think that is a testament to my Lord’s influence on me.

You see, I told you about a few things that I have that I am thankful for but they don’t come cheap.  It has taken my wife and I several years of financial struggle to obtain these things in our lives and contrary to what others may think, we do not make a great deal of money.  We pinched and paid off what we could and made ends meet when there was often quite a bit of space between the ends — but in our minds and hearts we believe the Lord provided all for us.

Sure, there were times when I prayed to win the lottery or have a business deal that would benefit us greatly with our finances.  I can attest, sometimes the answer to prayers is no.  And believe it or not, I am thankful for the things I do not have, especially if it would change me in a way that was not good for me or others around me.  Okay, so let’s say I win millions in the lottery, how would that affect my life?  I could have a great deal of material things but what about my life.  We’ve all heard how many “relatives” come to you in hopes that you will share your good fortune.  And, the many people who don’t claim to be your kin but still want you to invest in their lives somehow…finance a new invention, business venture or even pay for their medical treatments.  Even if I had millions of dollars, I still couldn’t pay for everyone…what kind of stress would there be to try to choose.

Although I have some type of pain daily, my doctor said I’m in good health–as good as losing about 15 more pounds wouldn’t take care of…we’ll see the total after tomorrow–maybe 20.  My wife, too, is in good health.  Her olderly mother lives with us and she is doing well.  So, I’m thankful we don’t have bad health.

We live in a very diverse neighborhood and it is nice and quiet even with all the Wake Forest students who rent houses or rooms here.  I’m thankful I don’t live somewhere where my neighbors want to burn down my house or cause me harm.

My job does not pay very well but it is a good job.  I am thankful I am not out of work.

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:27

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

My faith keeps me straight, daily.  Though I’m often concerned about things in my life, the lives of family and friends, my community, country or the world as a whole, the thing I’m most thankful for is that I do not worry.  Especially, things I have no control over.  I am most often at peace.

I challenge you to be thankful for the things that you do not have…especially the things that you desire that quite possibly are not good for you.

You’re welcome to share the things you are thankful for in your lives–you’re among friends.

 

Jay  🙂