Note the God on that money bill you carry in your purse and wallet. There's God's eye that sees and calls you and me to grab an eternal truth that we are part of the planet's community. We are part of bringing well-being to the grocer, to the banker, and the flowers we purchase from the kiosk owner in that giant mall. Well-being to all from my wallet. It's that simple.
It was in my writing the book, Money as Sacrament that I uncovered so much more than what I originally thought vital. Writing, journalling, and speaking about money delivered me to understand dollars and cents not simply as medium of exchange, something I simply hand over to another, but as something that connects me to others, draws them into my life and brings me into theirs. We are bonded in that moment of exchange. I celebrate that connection.
Thomas Merton, proliflic spiritual writer says it best: "My response must be to open myself to being a partner with God, working with Him, co-operating with the God who is my Maker and Redeemer. I find that it helps me to think of this in terms of stewardship, responsilility, accountability. What use am I making of the raw material (our green bills and plastic cards) that has been given to me?"
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Everything Will be All Right
After not so patiently answering a thousand question, Janice, the Sears sales lady started pecking at her hand computer, obviously sick of my anxiety. But I couldn’t help myself. Two thousand dollars for a Frigidare oven? Sure we needed one, but a top of the line? I stepped away knowing that I’d been thrown back into the crazy ‘we don’t have enough money’ place.
Now you might think that’s a reasonable price for a range that’s going to fill all needs, that has a look any kitchen could die for, and that I own a check book that can handle the exchange. But the old emotional nemesis kept shouting: “Hey, Adele, it’s too much.”
Jealous of milling customers who didn’t suffer this ancient fear, I dived into a inner conference with my father; "Rescue me Dad! Yes,you always counseled, 'buy the best.' Isn’t the best here a little pricey?"
Jim, husband and new precious mentor, leaned down after moments of respectful silence: “Honey, don’t we want this stove?” Serene face, untouched by my cold feet. I searched that face: Damn, why can’t you get scared too. Is it just because it’s “my” money.
I looked into the mirror across the aisle: Get a grip, Adele. God blesses you with a blooming money tree and you make yourself worry sick? Was I still the nun holding a vow of poverty? Idiot!
I felt better.
“Sure we want this stove,” handing Janice my VISA. I picked up my wallet and turned toward Jim: “Honey, I’m ok.”
“If you say so.” He smiled: We joined hands and left the store. What a partner I married! Someone who understood my silly money noises.
You should know that anxiety attack when buying that stove happened early on in our marriage. Now, fourteen years later, I’m happily calm when it comes to flashy purchases. Only yesterday, I laid down my credit card for a Magellan navigator- excessive price tag - and no one heard a peep out of me.
Now you might think that’s a reasonable price for a range that’s going to fill all needs, that has a look any kitchen could die for, and that I own a check book that can handle the exchange. But the old emotional nemesis kept shouting: “Hey, Adele, it’s too much.”
Jealous of milling customers who didn’t suffer this ancient fear, I dived into a inner conference with my father; "Rescue me Dad! Yes,you always counseled, 'buy the best.' Isn’t the best here a little pricey?"
Jim, husband and new precious mentor, leaned down after moments of respectful silence: “Honey, don’t we want this stove?” Serene face, untouched by my cold feet. I searched that face: Damn, why can’t you get scared too. Is it just because it’s “my” money.
I looked into the mirror across the aisle: Get a grip, Adele. God blesses you with a blooming money tree and you make yourself worry sick? Was I still the nun holding a vow of poverty? Idiot!
I felt better.
“Sure we want this stove,” handing Janice my VISA. I picked up my wallet and turned toward Jim: “Honey, I’m ok.”
“If you say so.” He smiled: We joined hands and left the store. What a partner I married! Someone who understood my silly money noises.
You should know that anxiety attack when buying that stove happened early on in our marriage. Now, fourteen years later, I’m happily calm when it comes to flashy purchases. Only yesterday, I laid down my credit card for a Magellan navigator- excessive price tag - and no one heard a peep out of me.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Wealth's Varied Faces
Wealth’s Varied Faces
When mother came into her own bank account, and could spend it freely after my father’s passing, she confided that now the Arabic community “thinks I’m somebody.” For mom, it was a step-up in esteem.
Others might see their money as avenues to purchase. The red sweater, the red car, a new Ipod. It is their medium of exchange, and they give very little thought to what’s really going on.
There are varied meanings we attach to the concept of money: “It’s a burden. I’d be better off without it.” So spoke teenager Susie, working at Burger King, while Nurse Sheehy confessed: “I can really say, ‘I love money.’”
At this moment, my husband is flying a glider on his computer. He’s got pedals attached to it, and a steering wheel in front. Jim is traveling the islands, landing and then taking off, immersed in geography, in a quiet ride through this rainy evening. His CD plays the gentlest of musical sounds. He meditates on the stars. A contentment flows in him, a kind that I hadn’t yet seen our marriage. He wouldn’t exchange this entire experience for a home by the sea.. well, maybe not a home by the sea. Yet, I don’t think anything, even his afternoon peanut butter sandwiches can satisfy him as much as flying his computer glider.
Look into your heart. What’s your meaning of wealth?
When mother came into her own bank account, and could spend it freely after my father’s passing, she confided that now the Arabic community “thinks I’m somebody.” For mom, it was a step-up in esteem.
Others might see their money as avenues to purchase. The red sweater, the red car, a new Ipod. It is their medium of exchange, and they give very little thought to what’s really going on.
There are varied meanings we attach to the concept of money: “It’s a burden. I’d be better off without it.” So spoke teenager Susie, working at Burger King, while Nurse Sheehy confessed: “I can really say, ‘I love money.’”
At this moment, my husband is flying a glider on his computer. He’s got pedals attached to it, and a steering wheel in front. Jim is traveling the islands, landing and then taking off, immersed in geography, in a quiet ride through this rainy evening. His CD plays the gentlest of musical sounds. He meditates on the stars. A contentment flows in him, a kind that I hadn’t yet seen our marriage. He wouldn’t exchange this entire experience for a home by the sea.. well, maybe not a home by the sea. Yet, I don’t think anything, even his afternoon peanut butter sandwiches can satisfy him as much as flying his computer glider.
Look into your heart. What’s your meaning of wealth?
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