So, I have an insurance decision to make.  We have a policy on my wife so that when she transitions to heaven, the company will send me a check for $50,000.

I didn’t realize at the time we purchased it, but the policy accumulates cash value.  I just learned that its currently worth about $10,000.

I believe we now have other resources enough to cover the costs in the event of her death.   So, my dilemma is this: Do I cash in the policy now or let it ride? 

So, I looked to the Word of God for a little guidance.  The wise one Solomon penned this in Ecclesiastes 9:9, “Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.” NET Bible ®

Hmm – enjoy life with your beloved wife.

I remember those days when it was more like, “try to get by with your beloved wife.”  Money was tight in those first few years of our marriage, so we made do. 

I gave my wife her first clothes iron by pulling it out of someone’s trashcan and repairing it.   She struggled to learn to cut my hair to help us save a buck.   We were on a first name basis with every generic brand at the grocery store – like Gnu Value Peanut Butter.

Everything in our first apartment was second hand except the food (but there were a few leftovers from the in-laws).

Our ancient car groaned every time we did a road trip.  I spent more time on my back under the car than I did in bed. 

When we finally stopped for the night – it was always at the Flea Bag Inn.  I knew I made a poor choice that night that my wife balled up in the middle of the bed and refused to touch anything in the room.

Did I mention that I sometimes retrieved day old bakery products from the dumpster just after the grocery store discarded them? (Not sure my wife knew, so don’t tell her)

My daughter’s first big-girl bed was a thick piece of foam on a piece of plywood supported by concrete blocks. It did, however, have a girly pink blanket.

Even our current vacuum cleaner is made up of three different salvaged vacuums.  We have used the frankenmodel for a couple decades and I still have spare parts in the attic.

Okay, we are much older now and the financial stress is less than it used to be.  Which is probably what prompted Solomon to say, “Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.”

Life on this earth is fleeting says he.  We can’t stop the process or forever preserve what we have.  Our earthly reward is to sit back and enjoy the fruit of our work – here and now – and to do it with a beloved spouse.

So, do I cash in the policy now or let it ride? 

I think I would rather enjoy the $10,000 with her than the $50,000 without. 

Who knows, maybe we’ll take the money and splurge on some Peter Pan Peanut Butter!

A PRAYER: God thank you for my wife and every other faithful longsuffering wife.   May Sharie and I truly savor and enjoy this season of life.

This has been Jim Johnson with pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.