DAY 1
'The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss . That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.
In March of 2020, I lost my entire savings. All of it. Thousands of dollars. At the age of 40, married, and with three small children, THIS was utter humiliation. My mind could not fathom how this happened? What are the chances a pandemic would destroy it all? Who could have guessed that? Not me.
I said to myself, "you're such an idiot, how could you let this happen?"
Covid-19 shattered my investing portfolio. I didn't have enough capital to sustain the loss. My trading account was liquidated. Just like that, my entire life savings was GONE.
I can remember explaining what happened to my wife. My head was low, my confidence shattered. All I could say was, "I'm sorry lover (that's my nickname for her), I lost all of our savings." She was like, "all of it?" I said, "yes, all of it." She could see I was demoralized, ashamed, and in shock.
She was an angel and said to me, "it's ok, we will get it all back." While I loved her kind words, I couldn't see how? I was DEVASTATED.
During this time, I read the first few versus of Psalm 23. I can remember trying to read Psalm 23 and just shaking my head. I'd say to myself, "how can God be my best friend right now? How could He let this happen? Where is this luxurious love or oasis of peace? My life is not feeling very restored right now. It sucks. It hurts. I don't feel like I'm on the right path AT ALL!
This is when a quiet little voice whispered to me and said, "Anthony, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
This was the moment of clarity.
I had to check this whisper versus the true motives of my heart. I asked myself, "where is my treasure? Why does losing everything hurt so much? Am I trusting money or that God can restore and revive?
It took me awhile to answer those questions. And, taking the time to ask those questions saved my life. We have now just passed the one year mark of Covid-19 and I'm shocked to share this with you. I would have never believed it at the time, but here we go. As of today, we have not only recouped all of our losses but also added 30% on top of it.
I didn't expect it to happen.
I didn't try any crazy get rich quick schemes.
I didn't play the lottery.
I didn't get back into the stock market.
I traded my desire to be rich, for a new desire. This new desire was to be the best version of me.
It was to let God do God-like things for me.
It was to listen to those whispers.
It was to guard my heart.
It was to believe I have everything I need.
It was to be present with my wife and kids more.
It was to let God be my best friend.
It was to accept God's offer of peace and luxurious love.
It was to let God restore and revive my life.
It was to look for the pathways to God's pleasure.
It was to bring HONOR to HIS name (not my name).
I'm not a super spiritual guy, but I do love to say quick prayers throughout my day. Here's what it looks like for me, and maybe it can help you too.
God, help me today. I don't feel the best and I need to know you are there.
Show me the path. If I can't see, open my eyes.
If I can't hear, help me. Open my ears.
I need this resting place you're talking about.
I want you to be my best friend.
I don't even know what that looks like, but you do.
I want to bring honor to your name.
Love you - Coach Anthony