Swimming lessons from God

Ok- It's been a while since I have just written something that I liked, instead of updating on Caylee's status.  But yesterday, Matt ran to the grocery store for me after work and he came home with a 2012 calendar.  I LOVE calendars!  I know, they seem a little outdated with all that phones can do these days now, but I still love getting up in the morning and seeing an entire month laid out before me on the fridge.  I also love the scenes that come with it.  This time, Matt bought me a Seascape Themed calendar... perfect for this beach loving girl! 

I opened the calendar to find this very first quote:
**No man drowns who prays to God, and can swim.- Russian Proverb

Don't you LOVE that?  It's a great reminder to have faith, but not to be stupid.  Have you ever had a situation like that?  We used to lead a bible study and every week this person would come and ask the group to pray for financial needs.  This person would say they had no money for food that week or to pay bills, so would we pray?  Of course we'd pray!  But... then we found out this person DID have money, they were just spending it on the newest gadget out there.  They were buying the newest phone, newest Xbox etc.  That just drove me insane!  There are definitely times we all make mistakes with money (or in another area of life).  I won't even tell you about my freshman year in college and the money mistakes I made!!!  BUT, I really think if you pray, it should be to ask God for help in controlling that problem (like taking swimming lessons from God!).  I don't think we deserve to start making MORE money, just so we can pay bills AND indulge in the latest gift (although that'd be nice).  God wants us to learn from mistakes, He wants our hearts to change to be more like His.  You can ALWAYS pray to God, but I also believe that you can't be stupid in your requests.  You have to make sure you are taking the necessary steps as well-- you have to pray WITHIN God's will...
So... don't go dive in a pool if you can't swim and expect God to save you...of course He CAN save you, but it's just not smart!