About a month ago, we returned home from a 5-day trip to visit family for Thanksgiving to find that a hot-water pipe had sprung a leak in our bathroom. The house was filled with moisture. The water damage required us to move everything out of the house, and we have been living temporarily with friends and family over the past month, while deciding whether to rent a different place or wait for the cleanup and remodeling to be completed.
Insurance would have covered professional movers
And we would have missed out on the blessing of having a dozen fellow believers help us move our things
Insurance would have paid for us to stay in a hotel
And we would have missed out on some deep times of fellowship and conversation with family and friends that have come from living together
Insurance would give us money to shop for new things
When God’s calling on our life to move overseas requires us to get rid of many of the things we have
Insurance would have encouraged us to depend on our financial planning
The way things have happened have encouraged us to depend on our fellow believers in Christ. Which is more important in the “shalom” God intends for humanity?
This is not intended to be an anti-insurance rant, or to question the spirituality of those who use insurance. About 14% of our monthly budget goes to insurance companies, so I am clearly not opposed to insurance altogether. It is a reminder, however, that God provides, that he works through his church, and that depending on each other in need is good and healthy. We still are greatly appreciate the prayers, encouragement, work and hospitality of those we have depended on in this time.
(But some of you are still wondering about the numbers, so check this out:
Insurance would have cost us $100 in premiums during the 2 years we lived in the house, plus a $500 deductible
Thanks to people willing to serve and help in a time of need, we’ve only spent a couple hundred dollars on moving expenses, while not paying rent and utilities (over $1,000 in savings). Maybe if we add up all the extra costs over the next few months, it will top $600 in the end. Or maybe not. )
Bearded Sage 