The blessings have been surprising and many -
#1 I used to use 2 tanks of gas a month hauling everyone else around - and going back and forth to the meetings and field service. Now I only use about 1 tank every three months so that is a major financial blessing plus tons of time saved and irritation about people who were never on time and made me wait while they got ready, sometimes making me late for the meetings, etc., etc. And the gratitude for going miles out of my way was mostly zilch - there was one faithful sister that always made an effort to reimburse me and was very appreciative - but the rest just looked at what I did as "my Christian duty" on their behalf. And of course the maintenance costs saved should be thrown in - I calculated one time it really costs about $1/Mile to drive one's car - had twenty years of bills for the same vehicle as basis for this calculation - I still have the baby and she runs like a top cause I've always pampered and taken good care of her. But now I don't find it necessary to go out and vacuum it out once a week, pick up the coffee cups, papers stuff, chewing gum, candy wrappers, and whatever else people invariably left as love offerings I guess. In fact just being me using the buggy she only needs interior cleaning about once a year if that much and never gets littered up ever.
#2 I used to have dry cleaning bills - about $15/Month keeping myself sharp and presentable for the meetings and service - (I know some of you will say I could have re-invented my wardrobe with items that could be thrown in the machine but I never did even tho the idea occurred to me more than once.) Now I have a whole wardrobe section of my closet that never gets used anymore - I wear only cotton jeans and comfy sweatshirts or cotton pullovers - in the summer, same thing - casual wear - shorts, cotton blouses. Plus I no longer have to buy new nylons cause I only wear tennis shoes and cotton socks. It's so nice - so comfortable - and so MUCH cheaper on the retirement income. The Bible Study Class I attend they all do the same - no one dresses up like the WTS stiffs. And the churches I have visited also dress at least semi casual so if I want to come in a pair slacks and nice sweater I don't look a bit out of place. I have forgotten all about the fact dresses were ever invented even.
#3 I have cut my phone bill down to the cheapest rate $10/Month plan cause it now only gets used for emergency reasons. Used to be it cost me from $40 to $60/Mo because so many of the friends wanted to chit chat on my cell phone - I don't miss that time waster or expense AT ALL. And my feelings never ever get hurt about what so and so said or thinks about me - not that I wasted much concern on that in the past but there were always the types that felt it their duty to keep you abreast of all the "latest" poop they had scooped. It's so nice to live in peace and quiet.
#4 I have time - oh my - loads of precious time that I now spend on real Bible Study about subjects that are of REAL concern to myself and not somebody else's idea of what I SHOULD be reading or studying. And now the Bible seems to speak to my mind and heart - instead of my Bible reading seeming like a "duty" for preparation of the meeting parts. AND I sure don't miss having talk assignments to prepare - believe you me. I used to SLAVE over those being a perfectionist by nature. Now I'm just happy go lucky - cruising along - loving life with nary a day I dread getting out of bed - in fact now I get up hours earlier than I used to do cause I have exciting things to study or do - not obligations designed by some character in New York. No more obligatory meetings that had become just routines and were proving less and less stimulating.
#5 And now I don't have a constant load of people popping in on me all hours of the day wanting me to do this or that with them - I actually get what I started out to do done for once on the same day I began the task. And if I'm wanting companionship I can just pop over to my computer and bug you poor people - midnight or any time of the day. You don't mind. I can stay up all night and sleep all day if the mood so strikes (fortunately it doesn't strike often.) I never feel guilty anymore that I'm not helping Sister so and so, or spending ENOUGH time in the field service, or taking care of other people's young un's - I now have time for my OWN grandchildren. And the cost savings of not feeding someone almost every day because that is the gracious thing to do when they come right at meal time - my food budget almost dropped in half. And no more salads, deserts, soups etc. for the letter writing group - and then rounding up the containers months later that you brought the food in. And no more hosting of get togethers either. It's such a relief. Lonely now? Hell no. It's heaven to have peace and quiet in one's life.
I'm sure there are a number of other items I'm forgetting at the moment but most of all I don't feel like I have to walk a tigthrope - I can be me - free to be me. Integrity - that is the greatest blessing of all - I am now "authentic" - I'm genuine - whole-souled and whole hearted. Would that be called "wholesome?" I think that is the blessing - being wholesome and just free to love all and everyone. DF'ing is a blessing - for me.
