The Pasture

So…I’m about to turn 21 and a year ago I was roughly $10,000 in debt: two credit cards and a line of credit maxed out, a personal loan, car loan, student loan (only one semester’s worth) and another small line of credit.

When I acquired all this, I was working full-time as a video editor making plenty to keep up with all the payments.  Then just before Christmas 2007 I was suddenly let go.  I was contract labor so I was on my own.  I got a couple small freelance gigs, sold my 24” Dell display, and barely squeezed by until I got a job doing ad design for a grocery chain based here in town.

I worked that and slowly got back on my feet.  Three months into that, right as I was caught up with my bills, I quit and flew out to LA for a job that was offered to me.  I had a lot of fun out there and managed to bring home a couple thousand to continue paying off my bills at the end of the summer.

Long story short, I’ve been freelancing ever since here in Norfolk, NE.  It’s far from easy, and it is very much a feast or famine lifestyle…but I love the lack of routine and can’t stand working some regular job week after week, month after month.

Anyway, I’m now down to about $5,000 of debt I believe, and can foresee being debt free in the next six months…exciting :D  My credit is totally screwed, but I’m not too bummed because I don’t intend on applying for any new credit cards or loans anytime soon.

What’s frustrating right now is this vicious cycle of my two checking accounts going overdrawn a little bit, and then waiting…and waiting…and waiting for whatever check I’m expecting to show up while each bank slams me with overdraft fees everyday.  Then when all this money does show up, half of it just goes to the bank to get me out of the hole.  DOH!

I called US Bank today to apply for overdraft protection…even $100-200 worth would be fine, just to save me from the fees.  But guess what.  I don’t make enough income every year to even APPLY for it.  K thx bye.

But you know what?  I’m fine with that.  At least I’m not depending on the state and all your tax dollars to help me get my stupid ass out of a financial pickle.  I’m not to be looking to the state or anyone else but God to help me here.

“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.  You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.” -Deuteronomy 28:12

Now this is the Lord speaking to Isreal, and does indeed refer to the debt of a nation, but this entire chapter can be applied to us on a personal level as well.  Let’s backup about 20 chapters…

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” -Deuteronomy 8:17-18

In 2007, I did not have a relationship with God.  I hardly went to Church or took part in any group of fellowship.  I was prideful.  I was so quick to recognize what I had supposedly done to get to where I was, and I had a better credit score than my parents.  What happened?  I went into tremendous debt…tremendous for a 19 year old anyway.

I recognize now that if I hadn’t gone to God for help, and recognized that he gave me my talent, I don’t think I would be on my way out of debt right now, nor would I be able to do the type of work I’m doing to do so.  I’d probably be stuck going back to ad designing for less money than some of my friends are making in fast food.

Instead I’ve been blessed enough to do something I love and am good at, and at over $20/hour.  I tried to go to the state today and apply for overdraft protection…They didn’t come to my aid, because it’s not the state’s job.  They are not my God.