Stories help us understand. They help us learn and grow. Finding out someone’s stories can teach us to live with more grace, hope, empathy, love…I think Erin Odom’s *More Than Just Making It is one of those stories where we will have to “listen” to open our eyes and hearts to where someone has been, where they are now, and where they are going, and take in the lessons they have learned to live life to the fullest. This is a book for both those who have financial challenges and those who have found financial stability.
It would take walking among the impoverished in my own city, listening to their stories, changing my pre-conceived notions, and experiencing my own humbling circumstances for those living on a low income to become real to me.
*Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Earlier this summer, my 10-year-old “interviewed” my mom. She had asked her about her growing-up years, how she came to where she is, and how she became who she is. It was such an eye-opening experience for my girl because she couldn’t imagine all the hardships her grandma had endured to get to this place. In *More Than Just Making It, Erin Odom shares, with eloquence, her story of growing up in upper middle-class America and then living the flip side with food stamps and bankruptcy when she was pregnant with her third child. We all love a good story about overcoming obstacles, but I think there is even greater value in learning someone else’s story, especially when we realize we were too quick in making a judgment (for good or bad) about the situation they were in without knowing where they have been.
Beauty in My Story
We all have a money story, right? Some of us have money, some of us don’t, some of us spend wisely or not-so-wisely, some of us save with a goal in mind, some of us never had money. It’s a much longer story than I have time for, but here’s my own growing-up years story in a nutshell. My parents are from the China village, like legit village life where some homes still do not have proper plumbing and such. They worked hard to ensure my three siblings and I had enough. I think there is a whole lot of beauty in “enough” but that probably isn’t what most kids think about in the midst of their childhood. I knew we never took vacations like our friends did. I knew we didn’t live in a big house. I knew all our friends had computers before we got one. I knew we didn’t throw parties each year for our birthdays. I knew the four of us siblings shared one cell phone back when they came out while all of our friends had their own. But to me, enough was all I needed. (If you talk to my mom, even as a kid, I never asked for anything.) Not to bore you with any more details, I got through college with a business degree but not really diggin’ that business life. Tutored a bunch of Chinatown kiddos (most of them are doing some pretty amazing things now!) and wanted to be a teacher, but Norm and I got married and started our own family. Through that period of time, we’ve experienced times of plenty and times of joblessness, but because we did not have any debt besides some school loans and mortgage, we have been able to continue to prayerfully and discerningly give as we felt led. It isn’t always easy because we don’t always know the heart of the person if we are unable to find out their own story, but there is beauty in the opportunities we have been afforded.
Encouragement in Erin’s Story
I won’t give away too much of Erin’s story as she shares it so well in *More Than Just Making It, but I will say it is a great read for those who are in that place of financial frustration, as well as those who are in a place of financial stability. As I hear more and more stories from those on the launch team and those in my very own community about where they are in the spectrum between rags and riches, the more I realize we ALL need to listen to each other’s stories. For those who are frustrated, there is hope is Erin’s story of how their family got out of that place of assistance (although there is always grace and the blessing of receiving what others have to give) and there are real, practical steps for getting on the road to financial stability and freedom. For those who are secured (well, as secure as we can be in these seemingly uncertain times), Erin’s story might open your eyes to the people (and not only their status) who have less than you, and you may end up surprised by what you hear and learn.
Get your copy here and check out the fun things Erin has for you below! –> *amzn.to/2w80ICx
A Few Fun Things!
- Erin has a FREE 5-Day e-Course called Eating Well on a Budget. Sign up and learn how to improve your health and budget!
2. More Than Just Making It releases on September 5th. If you *pre-order your copy, Erin has some amazing goodies for you.
3. There is also a Book Release Mega Giveaway! This is HUGE!
Your turn: What is the best money-saving tip you have ever received?
Don’t forget to get your copy here or any location where books are sold! –> *amzn.to/2w80ICx
*Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a tiny percentage if you make a purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure policy here.