My Personal Testimony

In America, 7 out of 10 Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. That’s right, SEVENTY PERCENT of you reading this letter hope that your next paycheck makes it on-time. If it doesn’t, what will you do?

I thought I could manage it. I thought that my lifestyle was fine; I just needed to make more money.

Everything was great, back in December of 2002. I had worked my way through several positions and companies to the top of the heap. I was ranked among the top 25 managers in my company, which is the top in its field. I had a comfortable income. My three children were happy and had more stuff than any kid could want. My dad was proud of my accomplishments. My boss was secretly devising ways to promote me. I had a great car, a new, custom-built house and a great set of golf clubs.

On the surface, everything seemed great.

But, there were the fights. She said this, I did that. I told her this, knowing it was that. We never came to blows but, oh if words were real, we’d both be lying in a hospital to this day. Basically, we lived separate lives, had separate dreams ate in separate rooms, slept in separate beds. Her drive being equal to my own, neither one of us could back down. We’d been living this way for years. I missed baseball games, she missed important dinners. I played in a band; she’d hang out with her friends.

Then, New Orleans happened. (Not Katrina.) It was a normal business trip she said; Nothing much out of the ordinary. It was good that she made some great contacts, learned a lot and got to present to a huge, national audience. I learned later that something else happened. And that it had happened before; and would happen again.

Soon after, I got promoted and moved to another city while she stayed behind. In February of 2003, I learned of our impending divorce. I heard all of the truths she had never told me. I had the opportunity to actually find out what she thought about me, how she felt and exactly what started this whole mess. It wasn’t the credit cards or the car. Not the house or the signature loans. It was the time. Nearly ten years of missed time.

I had sacrificed my family at the altar of my job.

I thought that my providing for them was enough. I listened to every tape, bought every book and drank the Kool-Aid of my peers and advertising execs from around the globe. I was a success by most definitions. But I missed out on what it really means to be me. I was an American. I listened to the TV and forgot what my grandparents had learned. I fell down hard.

Over the next two years, I lost basically everything I owned. Thank God.

Thank God huh? Yeah. I thank God every day for my fall. My kids know me now. And I know them. I have deeper relationships with my family, friends and employees. I found this wonderful woman that had fallen once, just like me. She helped me get up. She brought along this amazing, God-fearing son that had never had a real dad. And we became a family. It’s funny; my oldest son told me the other day that he had always wanted an older brother. And now he does.

When my new wife and I started out, we found ourselves slipping into some bad habits. Then we found Financial Peace University. We are on baby step two and are almost at baby step three. Our financial picture was changed so much that we decided to volunteer to facilitate the course at First Baptist, Atlanta. It’s refreshing to have the money and discipline to know that the future will be bright. There’s no more guessing in our house. And no more hoping that our paycheck makes it on time!

Now, my spa feels truly relaxing.

So, when you ask, “Do you accept credit cards?” I usually just say, “No.” But now you know what I really mean.

Thanks for your business.

Sincerely,

David Sheets
Georgia Hot Tubs