Dear Friends,

Lately I’ve been doing some thinking—dangerous, I know. Must be the season we’re stepping into: Christmas, goals, gifts, and all the emotional gymnastics of a tight budget and trying to be good parents.

And while I’ve been thinking, I’ve also realized something: there are all kinds of people in this world when it comes to how we handle money—and honestly, knowing where we each fall can teach us a lot about ourselves.

There are consumers (hi, it’s me). We work hard, and we love to enjoy the fruits of our labor. My guilty pleasure? A good pampering session. And my favorite place on God’s green earth just so happens to be dangerously to close for my husband’s comfort. “Forever Young” Med Spa in Kingwood knows me by name, by skin type, and probably by last week’s stress level. I walk in, get my monthly “take-me-away” facial, scrub off last week’s mistakes, and walk out feeling brand new. Is it a necessity? Maybe not. But then again… maybe it is.

Then you have savers—those laser-focused on security and stability. These are the people who sleep best at night because their emergency fund is fluffier than a down comforter.

There are also investors—the long-term thinkers. The ones who get excited about compounding interest and talk about retirement accounts like they’re describing a romantic vacation.

And let’s not forget the borrowers—the ones who swipe the credit card, fully intending to let future income handle today’s needs, wants, and “but it was on sale!” moments.

And finally, you have the lenders—not the banks, but regular folks who offer help with the expectation of a little interest in return. Bless them… they’re brave.

We all fall somewhere on that list—sometimes in more than one category. But God’s desire for us is clear: He wants us to be wise, disciplined, and prepared. He wants us to walk in abundance, not desperation. The Bible even tells us plainly that His heart is for us to be lenders, not borrowers—people who are equipped, steady, and capable of blessing others.

Deuteronomy 28:12 (NIV):
“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty… You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”

That’s the goal. Balance. Wisdom. Discipline. And this time of year—right in between Christmas shopping and New Year goals—is the perfect time to have those conversations about our finances, our habits, and what we’re modeling for our kids.

My husband always says, “Take care of your business first, and then play.” And honestly, that’s powerful. It keeps you out of that victim mentality. It reminds you that you can’t feel entitled to what someone else has when you haven’t done the work that they’ve done to prepare for it.

Every year we ask ourselves the same question: “How much is too much?” Are we really supposed to stretch our pockets, stress out, or take out a loan from the Bank of Never-Getting-Paid-Back just to make Christmas look “perfect”? Because if love comes wrapped in receipts… then maybe—just maybe—we’re teaching the wrong lesson.

Growing up in foster care, I didn’t have much. But I still remember the joy of receiving a gift wrapped in pretty paper with a bow that leaned a little to the left. Sometimes it was exactly what I prayed for, sometimes it wasn’t, but the effort was everything. Those moments taught me gratitude long before I knew what the word meant.

Now, as a mama, those memories stay with me. I want my children to be grateful—not guilty, not entitled, and not walking around like they’ve been crowned King and Queen of the World. Yes, they may be their daddy’s little prince and princess… but let’s be honest: life is not rolling out a red carpet for any of us. (And if by chance it is—well, mine must’ve gotten lost in the mail.)

So, I make it a point to volunteer with them—not to make them feel “less than,” but to help them recognize just how blessed they truly are. I want them to know humility, gratitude, and the truth that you can’t pray for blessings while acting like the world owes you an upgrade, you have to do the work.

With their Bible in their homes and some hard-earned wisdom in their hearts, they’ll walk their own path—good and sometimes crooked—but hopefully with humility, strength, and maybe a little more common sense than their mama had at their age.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is this:
The best gift we can give our kids isn’t something we buy. It’s the heart we shape in them. The values we live out in front of them. The perspective that helps them see both their blessings and their responsibilities and maybe a little financial education.

This Christmas, let’s give ourselves grace. Let’s give what we can, teach what matters, laugh when it gets messy, and remember: love—not the price tag—is what makes this season holy and beautiful. And if all else fails… just remind the kids Jesus didn’t get a PS5 in the manger either.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV):
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

From Your Friend, Me