The Cure for Credit Card Overload

Financial struggles are not a new phenomenon for Frank and Lori McCracken of Sutherlin, Oregon.  Because Frank works in construction, he knows about the “ups and downs” of the industry. So does Lori, who does her best to manage the money while Frank travels out of town to work.    

“We generally live week to week, month to month,” says Lori.  “Groceries are sometimes hard to come up with, gas for work, and keeping our bills paid.”

So when Frank was injured on the job last year and out of work for three months, the McCrackens survived the only way they knew how -- by “maxing out” their $6000 dollar credit card limit.

“We couldn’t use them anymore,” says Lori.  “We just put them away and made minimum payments.  And that is just a never-ending cycle.   We weren’t accomplishing anything. Every month the statement would come and it would be just the same as the month before.”

“At that point, yes, I worried a lot about my finances,” says Frank.  “I had gotten severely depressed, and it wasn’t a very happy time.”

Eventually Frank returned to work, but jobs were in short supply.  

“We’d gotten to a point where we were behind on all our bills, our rent, and our credit cards.  We relied on my family to help us with our meals and gas,” explains Lori.  “I borrowed from them a lot.”    

At that point, Lori remembered some lessons she had learned on visits to church, lessons about tithing and giving.   And suddenly it hit her.

“When we did tithe, we noticed that financially we would get by,” she says.  “There really wasn’t anything extra, but we weren’t left needing things.  Everything was always taken care of.   And then over the years, when we would fall out of tithing, all of a sudden we would be behind.   We’d be in debt.”

Lori began to hear that same message on The 700 Club.

“I’ve watched The 700 Club off and on my whole life,” Lori says, “and I’ve never given anything to it.  I used them for prayer, I would call for prayer quite frequently, but I never felt like we could afford to give.   And one day during the telethon – and this was a time when my rent was behind, my utilities were behind, and all of our bills were backed up – and just out of faith I felt compelled to call and join at $20 dollars a month.”

At first Lori didn’t tell Frank about the pledge.

“I came home and she tells me she has made a pledge to The 700 Club," says Frank.  “And I said, ‘Well, I don’t know where the money’s coming from, but if that’s what you feel like you’re being led to do, then we’ll do it.’” 

Within three days of making the pledge, Frank and Lori received an unexpected phone call from their attorney, telling them about a settlement offer from an insurance company concerning Frank’s shoulder injury a year earlier.

“We got a call that there was a settlement, and due to a little loss of movement, I was getting a check for $10,000 dollars!” explains Frank. “And it brought us back to zero, which is a nice place when you’re that far behind.”

With the money from settlement, the McCracken’s were able to pay off their credit cards, rent, and back utilities -- in fact all of their debts. 

“All of a sudden the debt was taken care of, and it just felt so good,” says Lori.  “The pressure was gone!  And since then, we’ve been caught up on our bills.”

Today, Frank, Lori, and their children are active in their church, and love hanging out together as a family.  The McCrackens say they never want to forget the lessons they’ve learned about giving.

“Since we have been tithing and giving to The 700 Club, we don’t want for anything,” says Lori happily.  “We don’t feel rich by any means, but our bills are paid. Our credit cards are paid.   We’ve actually been able to put a little bit into savings.  We’ve actually, since then, been approved to buy our first home!"   

“You have to give God what’s His," she says. "You have to give Him back what He provides for you.  And the more you give, the more you receive.  We’ve really learned that this year.”

Frank and Lori learned first hand that God is more than willing to take care of those that love Him and are obedient to His word. 

God wants to bless you too, just as He has blessed the McCrackens. One way you can give to God’s work is through CBN. Not only will you reach thousands each day with a message of truth and hope through The 700 Club, you also will help feed and clothe children around the world, bring medical aid to those suffering, dig fresh water wells for thirsty villages, and so much more. Please join with us today.