THE 10 MINUTE ENCOURAGER
by
Elizabeth Baker

THE MONEY MYSTERY

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives it to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. James 1:5]

The dark-haired woman let her car roll slowly into the parking slot savoring the leisurely pace. The boys were with their father and step-mom this weekend. That gave her two days alone and, although it had taken a couple of years, Reya had finally learned she had a choice. She could either face these days with complaining and regret, or look for opportunities to do things she enjoyed without the boys.

Her Saturday morning coffee at Starbucks was one such opportunity, and today she intended to make the most of it. Retrieving the mystery novel she'd started last night, she slung a brown purse over her shoulder, stepped out and slammed the door to her ageing compact. This was going to be a treat.

Once inside, the warm smells of fresh coffee, perfectly baked pastries, and chocolate washed over her in a wave of tempting delights. She studied the overhead menu, tapping one finger on her chin while clutching her purse strap and book with her other hand. Most offerings were rejected; the victims of price and calorie content, but a few choices were still viable. “I’ll take a tall coffee mocha, no whip,” she told the clerk, then counted out $2.98 in hard earned cash feeling good about her knowledge of the private lingo used for gourmet caffeine drinks.

“Hey, Reya!” A cheerful voice made her turn to see her co-worker Kathy, dressed in light wool slacks, lavender sweater and running shoes.

“Hey, yourself!” Reya replied. “What are you doing out so early?”

“I’m a regular! Got to get my caffeine fix, you know.”

The two women were not exactly close friends, but when you worked for the same company through the week and sang in the same choir on Sunday, it was difficult not to form some kind of friendship. Turning to the clerk, Kathy said, “Venti Carmel Macchiatio with a double shot,” the words rolling expertly from her tongue. She paid with a $5 bill then dropped the change in the tip bucket.

Reya couldn’t help doing the mental calculations. As an accountant with a mind for numbers, the tendency was habitual. If Kathy spent $4.56 a day, five days a week, her “caffeine fix” was costing almost a hundred dollars a month. And, that was if she kept the change!

She shook her head making the dark curls bounce and scolded herself. What did it matter to her if Kathy chose to spend her entire paycheck on coffee? Reya didn’t have room to talk. After all, the barista was slipping a paper collar onto her own steaming cup. She reached for the welcome brew while mentally resisting the defensive rebuttal that she only allowed herself one cup every two weeks.

Reya settled comfortably in one of the club chairs arranged by the front window. Light, perfect for reading, streamed over her shoulder. She took a long, satisfying sip and relaxed then ran her nail across the library slip she used as a bookmark and opened to chapter six.

Kathy took her drink to one of the nearby high tables and slipped her weight onto a stool then flipped open a sleek laptop and clicked a few keys. There were not many people in the store, so conversation was easy. “Oh, oh. Problem. Do you buy much on ebay?” she asked.

“Sorry, can’t help,” Reya replied then returned to her book.

“Just wondering. Folks say you can get real bargains if you know how, but I can’t seem to get the hang of bidding.” She clicked a few more keys then seemed to give up. “I wanted to buy a small outboard motor for Danny for his birthday, but I guess I’ll just have to go by Outdoor World.” She let out a sigh that could be heard across the room and rested her elbow on the table propping her chin on her hand as though her head might roll on the floor without support.

Reya looked up from her book. “Anything wrong?”

Kathy picked up her coffee, closed the machine, and moved to a nearby chair. “Well, it is just that I was trying to save a little. We wanted to give something to the church building campaign, but it just seems like it takes everything to live these days.”

Reya could certainly sympathize with that. When the pastor suggested that families consider a special donation beyond their normal giving, her breath had caught in her throat. She kept careful watch on her budget and already tithed. The idea of an additional gift was daunting. But, after prayer, she felt comfortable about committing $20 a month for the cause. “I know it’s hard,” she told Kathy. “I can’t give as much as I would like, but the kids and I will do what we can.”

“I don’t know what Danny and I will do. It seems like the credit card bill gets higher every month. Gas is going up.” She ran her fingers deep into her hair and held out the lovely, soft blond strands. “Why, last week Sarah charged me $185 for a haircut!” When Reya’s eyes grew wide, Kathy amended the statement. “Of course, I needed color, too.”

Reya took a slow sip of the coffee and returned her eyes to the book. The shop located in Wal-Mart had been doing her hair for years. She hardly knowing how to respond to the prices beyond that range. But, if her discomfort was noticed, the fact seemed to make no difference to Kathy. Her voice became more pressured and higher pitched as she continued.

“I think Pastor Ritter and the elders may have jumped the gun on this one. Now is not the time to build. There is just too much financial strain and uncertainty in the country. Danny and I give when we can. We don’t need someone badgering us.”

Reya remained silent. The phrase, “give when we can” echoed in her mind and her eyes moved involuntarily to the two diamond rings Kathy wore. Unkind thoughts butted their way into her consciousness and she blinked hard trying to push them away while resisting the urge to criticize.

Kathy sighed again. It was as though she forgot she was talking to a casual friend and had begun a conversation with herself. “I don’t know. It is a mystery where all the money goes each month. We try to control things…” There was a mist of tears in her eyes. The situation was on the cusp of becoming either enlightening or embarrassing for both of them when a third woman breezed into the store.

“Well what is this?” Jill said with a broad smile. “Did someone announce an extra choir rehearsal and I missed the memo?” She had come to buy a pound of French press and was delighted to see familiar faces. Paying for the coffee, she paused before leaving the store.

“What did you think of the awards last night? Did you two see them?”

“I thought the clothes were scandalous!” said Kathy. “But, I was really glad to see that Cold River got best picture. It deserved the honor! The photography in that thing was incredible.”

“What did you think, Reya?” Both women turned her way.

She couldn’t avoid the direct question, but felt uncomfortable answering. “I seldom watch television.” She paused not wanting to say more, but feeling the need to explain. “We don’t own a set.”

Kathy and Jill looked at each other incredulously.

“What do the boys think of that?” Jill asked.

“Oh, they're accustomed to it. We do a lot of other things and don’t really miss the boob-tube.” As soon as she said the word, she felt color rise in her cheeks and she wondered if she had unintentionally insulted the other two women.

“I admire you for not having one,” Kathy began, “but television doesn’t really have to be a “mindless” thing anymore. There is always stuff like the cooking networks or the history channel.”

“I know,” Reya colored even more. “But, frankly, cable is expensive. I would just rather spend my money on other things.”

An uncomfortable silence followed and soon the group broke up. Reya hoped she hadn’t damaged fragile relationships too badly. But, as she got in her car and headed for the grocery store, an old phrase her mother used kept rolling through her mind: “Dollars are like days. You can spend them any way you want, but you can only spend them once.” If Kathy was really mystified about where her money went, a little sincere prayer might make sure the question didn’t remain a mystery for long.

Be Encouraged Today!
God is always willing to give light when we ask. But, the real question is whether or not we want to see!

*****

For information about Elizabeth's books and to read other stories visit her at: www.elizabethbakerbooks.com