Know Where You Stand
Howdy there, friend, come right on up this ol’ front porch and let these ol’ railin’s greet you like they just finished bakin’ in the sun and were hopin’ someone friendly would come along and give ‘em a good reason to keep on holdin’ up. I’m mighty tickled that you stopped in for a lil’ ol’ spell. Pull up a good rocker and settle yourself in while the good Lord steadies your heart the way a calm ol’ cow stands peaceful like under a big ol’ shade tree chewin’ her cud even when a lil’ ol’ squirrel fusses around in the branches above. Proverbs 27:23 tells us, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” To deepen that wisdom even more, Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” These two verses plum stand together like two sturdy fence posts holdin’ up the same gate to the front yard.
Friend, there are folks who live like havin’ checks in the checkbook means havin’ money in the bank. They keep right on swipin’ and spendin’ like a lil’ ol’ Banty rooster struttin’ around a henhouse, proud as can be, never stoppin’ to see if the feed barrel is empty. That’s not faith. That’s plain ol’ denial with a fresh coat of paint.
God wants you to plum know your condition. This ain’t just financial advice. It’s downright a spiritual principle. You can’t steward what you refuse to see. You can’t manage what you won’t measure. And you surely can’t give generously when you are fibbin’ to yourself about your resources. Jesus said in Luke 14:28 that” if you want to build a tower, you had better sit down first and count the cost.” That’s not doubt. That’s plum good wisdom.
Some of us avoid the truth because we’re plum afraid of what we’ll find. But you can’t fix what you won’t face. And God ain’t honored by ignorance. Psalm 90:12 reminds us to “number our days so we can gain wisdom.” That there means takin’ inventory, facin’ facts, and lettin’ God guide the next step. It plum means openin’ the statements, trackin’ the spendin’, and acknowledgin’ the numbers even when they squeal louder than an ol’ hog that just got its tail stepped on.
If you don’t know where you are financially, that’s your problem. And it’s a problem you can solve today. God will meet you right where you are, but He won’t pretend you’re somewhere else.
Father, help us see our true condition with honesty and courage. Teach us to steward well, measure wisely, and trust You fully. Give us clarity to face the facts and faith to follow Your lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wel,l friend, looks like this porch has run out of stories for the moment, so you slip on into your day and let the Lord steady your steps plum the way a wise ol’ beaver guides a stream right where it ought to go. May your decisions land sure as a lil’ ol’ bluebird settlin’ on a fence rail after a long flight. May your courage rise up as bold as a lil’ ol’ young calf discoverin’ its legs for the first time. May your clarity shine bright as sunlight glancin’ off a fresh‑washed tin roof. And may you walk forward with a heart that knows exactly where it stands, tendin’ your life with honesty, wisdom, and the steady confidence that comes from trustin’ the Lord with every inch of your journey.
With joy,
Gwen
