thoughts on the news of the day: unemployment

hmmm…..

            I saw a list this morning of jobs that aren’t going away.  They aren’t likely to be the victims of outsourcing or downsizing –police officers, accountants and teachers were some of the occupations described.

            Lots of folks are out of work today.  For the most part, they are unemployed because their jobs just went away.  They are depressed, angry and scared.  Our jobs not only give us income, in most cases they define us and give us purpose.  Now it would be easy to say that we should rise above that and look to a higher purpose – that we should trust in God to provide for us and that it will all work out.  All that is true. 

            But here comes the but….  we don’t or we can’t.  I know what its like to be out of work, spending sleepless nights wondering how to pay my bills, buy groceries, provide for my daughter. I felt useless and helpless.  

            So, my thought on the news of the day is this: if you know someone who is unemployed (and we all do), give them some encouragement today, say a prayer for them and most of all be compassionate.  Chances are they didn’t do anything to cause their unemployment, so don’t make them feel like they have.

            And be grateful for the work that you have to do today …

            hmmm…..