As I walked in from the parking lot after working my second job at the Texas Roadhouse, this great sense of peace came over me. I realized that I got paid yesterday, bought groceries, and still had over ninety dollars in my food envelope. I paid every person I owed money yesterday. I have money in my gas folder. I have money in savings to pay my car insurance when it comes due. I have an emergency fund in case my truck breaks down. I’m not afraid of anyone that might call, if my phone rings, I would just answer it. I have financial peace. This is quite a contrast from four months ago.

Four months ago I screened all of my phone calls. If I could return a voice message with an e-mail, I would do that, less confrontational, easier. I especially remember a trip back to Springfield from Ft. Jackson, the first one since The Lazy Susan closed. I was scared to death from O’Hare all the way into Springfield. I knew there were all these people out there that wanted me, my money, and my plan. I didn’t have a plan or money, so I lived scared. I thought people would somehow find out I was coming back to Springfield, and they would be waiting for my plane to land so they could serve me with their lawsuit, or beat the money out of me, I didn’t know.

To see me walking around during that trip, I definitely looked like a Secret Service agent. I was constantly scanning, looking for people that I knew where civil process servers or people that act like civil process servers might act. I watched my mirrors, scanning for any cars that might be following. I drove by our house twice before I would pull into the driveway and open the garage. I told Amy to not tell anyone I was coming to town, but I somehow thought she would tell one of her friends who would tell another and then another, and before I knew it, everyone I owed money would be there waiting for me.

Peace is something I didn’t even think was possible back in November. I am amazed the difference a couple of months has made. While I won’t have financial independence until everyone is paid in full; I certainly am enjoying financial peace, thanks to a plan.