“Hello, my name is Monica, and I am unemployed. It has been six months since I held my last job…”
I cannot believe it has been that long.
Not that I have been idle, far from it. Going to school, applying for work, taking care of my kids and my health has all taken a toll.
The picture could not be painted more clearly: Yes, the economy DOES suck.
However, life could not be better.
When I was little, my mom used to always say, “God does not give you more than you can handle.” I don’t think that is necessarily true. I believe God hands you the tools to endure life’s tribulations. But as with everything, we have a choice as to what decision we will make.
I am not going to lie. When I discovered my unemployment compensation ran out this past weekend, I was incredibly worried. How were we going to pay rent? Eat? Have enough gas to get to where we needed to be? Pay electricity? Afford prescriptions? WHY ME??? I wallowed in self-pity.
Then, I snapped out of it. I started making a plan. Our family had survived on one income in the past, even less than now, so I knew we could do it again. Sacrifices needed to be made, but starvation and homelessness would not be the end result.
I do spend an incredible chunk of my time with my children, and since they are my most precious gifts, I am content. The time will soon come when their friends will seem to know everything, so now is the time for me to impart all my wisdom. They seem to be asking a lot of me lately, so perhaps staying home is a good idea for now.
I have accepted where I am, but that does not mean I have settled. I am thankful for the opportunities time off has afforded me. While schoolwork (and housework – BARF) rule my life, and I have not received as many call backs for jobs as I am accustomed to, I figure it is all in God’s plan. And I am okay with that.
