The inevitable tax time had rolled around again. We felt fairly secure with our W-2’s ready way before the deadline; it was just February, for Heaven’s Sake! However, what appeared a simple process to start with soon unraveled into chaos.
My hubby started the taxes on his computer, while I sat on the bed and watched. He followed closely the instructions, and we grew excited as we noticed the return amount numbering a thousand dollars. As he continued on, I began to day dream. Let’s see, maybe we could buy that barbecue we’ve been talking about. Or, better yet, pay off some of our phone equipment charges that make our bill so high.
Then I looked up. But wait! The numbers have changed! It says we owe money now. “What happened to our return, Honey? I thought we got a thousand back.”
“I don’t know, it suddenly changed and now it says we owe money,” he replied.
Earlier daydreams crashed into reality and became a nightmare. My thoughts went downhill. Where are we going to come up with that kind of money? There goes our plan to stay out of debt. What about the phone bill or the barbecue?
My husband decided to start over and sure enough, this time we came out ahead, by $22.00.
“Whoopee,” I shouted with a sarcastic tone. “Well, at least we don’t owe anything. Maybe we could go out to dinner, if we’re careful.”
He didn’t comment, but continued wrapping it up, grateful he had it behind him.
Weeks passed without any word on the arrival of our “bonanza.” I had all but forgotten about it, when my mate discovered our taxes hadn’t been sent, yet. He read the email, “It says they’ve added an update on some recent changes, so we need to do them again.”
“What!” I retorted. “Oh no, do we actually owe money? Where are we going to come up with that?”
Without joining me in my pessimism, my husband once again began going through the numerous questions on our last year’s income.
I hunkered down on the bed lost in thoughts of gloom and despair, when I heard a definite upswing in his voice’s tone. “What did you say?” I asked.
“Well, it looks like a better outcome this time. We’re getting back around $400,” he answered.
It didn’t add up to the original thousand, but totaled much more than $22 and certainly proved preferable to owing money. My downer outlook suddenly took on a much brighter glow.
“Wow, that’s fantastic. Now we can go out to dinner and buy a new barbeque. Oh, and maybe pay down a little on our phones.”
Isn’t it funny how a person can grow more content with less when he’s lost much more? Maybe Paul says it best in the Bible, “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content. . .” (Philippians 4:12c HCSB) Even in spite of a turbulent tax trauma.
Dianna
Sharing the Fruit of Maturity
