Bartering Goods and Services

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Ever done work for someone who pays you with pumpkin pies and homemade whipped cream? I tell you, it's tough to not accept these types of payments with a smile and a grateful nod of understanding.

We've been there. How many times, we were unable to properly re-imburse someone for their kindness, their work, their labor of love. How often in our early years, that I said a 'thank you' with a batch of cookies, brownies or a homemade lasagna.

HH did some work for an acquaintance, and having the distinct feeling that the family was struggling, he refused to charge for the work done. Though, having the impeccable manners that they had, they showed up at our door, with a fresh from the oven pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream to top it off.

Indeed, they could not have paid what HH would have charged. His gifts are truly God-given talents, and his time and energy away from the family, frankly, well, is expensive. And surely, he doesn't charge as much as the professionals do....not by half.

HH is an inspiration to me. He does work, but he keeps a sense of who he is working with and for in the forefront of his mind. And I love that.

We might not be rising above the debt as fast as we could, but when we get there, and yes, we will get there.....I know we'll be able to look back at all those people who were helped by us, and while yes, they might have slowed our financial progress, they helped to advance us in another way.....

A supernatural way. We are learning more about Love. What is it to Love others, when even we are owed something, but we do not demand it. Love isn't about what is fair. Love is giving when it doesn't make sense to do so. Love is giving when you don't even know them. Love is giving when you know it can't be repayed. Love is sacrificing one's own desires, for the good of another.

Love is tough.

But I resolve the matter, with a saying that says it all, whether good or bad, "It'll all come 'round in the end."

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