Today is Tuesday, December 30th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1477
A slumping economy in the United States and the world, is it good or is it bad?
At a family Christmas celebration, my sister Jan said, "It probably isn't altogether bad. We don't tend to learn much in the good times."
Another sister, Jill, told about her 22 year-old daughter who has been employed a year plus at a known corporation in Minneapolis. Earlier this year, Colleen would comment about her first job after college 'being boring'. Maybe she should look for something else; maybe her entry level pay could be higher.
In the past few months, the 23 employees in the department in which she works each had to reapply for their positions, as they were going to be doing some cutbacks. Colleen was one of the eight employees selected to retain their jobs. A modest raise is coming to the remaining employees after the first of year.
Now Colleen tells her parents often, "I am really lucky to have a job, aren't I?" Some of her friends aren't as fortunate.
Jill continued to tell us that Colleen wanted a different car; the one she has currently has about 50,000 miles. "She only had four car payments left," Jill said. "Dave and I tried to convince her that maybe a new set of tires would be a good alternative. Maybe in a few months she wouldn't have a job either."
After about three attempts to tell their young-adult daughter their thinking, they thought better of mentioning it again.
A week or so ago, Colleen came home from work with a 'good idea': "Maybe I should just get tires for my car," she told them. "Then I won't have to worry about car payments. My car is pretty nice."
Lots of learning going on here durng these 'bad times' in our economy. Colleen will never be quite like she was prior to learning that good times can turn into bad times. And in bad times, you can be happy, thankful, and content. The choice, like always, is up to each of us!!
PRAYER: Thank you, Father God, that all of us, like Colleen, have much to learn. Thank you that life is a good teacher. Thank you that you take care of every detail of our liives; part of it we will like and part of it we won't. But we can rest assured that you will always be there to walk beside us, show us the way, carry us when we don't think we can continue on, and not leave us nor forsake us. Thank you that you have our future with you under your control. In the name of your Son who came to reclaim us. Amen.
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