I hope everyone had a great holiday. I spent the majority of my day...well...laboring. Don't cry for me; it was certainly by choice and I made progress on quite a bit. I even managed to squeeze in a meeting. I usually keep things light around here but I felt inclined to share piece that I saw on ABC News last night before supper.
In 2003, Mr TBS and I were laid off within months of each other. He so happened to be working two jobs at the time (out of necessity); so he had one to fall back on. I, on the other hand, had a tougher go of it. It was nearly a whole year before I was able to secure full-time employment. Had it not been for God's grace and family, we would have been homeless. In fact, we were technically homeless; my mother did what Mamas do and took us in.
It was during that time that I became more focused on saving where we could, cutting corners and sometimes doing without. All of this became my "normal". What I can say positively is that none of our circumstances ever got me down. We did not have a lot of money but the bills still came, tuition for The Boy's private school had to be paid and it looked really bleak. Our faith never waivered and, eventually, we rebounded.
That's why starting this blog was important to me. I wanted other women to see that if I could do it...overcome being unemployed, be temporarily broke but not brokeN and keep my held high, they could too. Most people think I live a charmed life...and I do. Fortunately, I am wise enough to know that my happiness nor my blessings come from stuff. I have everything I need and most of what I want but I tend to lean on relationships and lessons for inspiration.
I'll never get too big for my britches; my conscience will not allow it to happen. I remember those pangs of uncertainty and the feeling of robbing Peter to pay Paul. It hurts; especially when there are children involved.
I challenge you to say a little prayer for someone who might be struggling financially or is feeling weary in their search for employment. May they realize and understand that they are not brokeN.
Love this post. I can totally relate more than you know.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully touching. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself and giving hope to those who can't currently visualize making it the "other" side.
ReplyDeleteThat post touched my heart, because I've been there. It makes me want sing, "My soul looks back and wonder how I got over!" I was in my first trimester with Mikaela and Michael was laid off. It was the first of December -- Christmas time. I was working part-time. All we had was my small payday, his severance and little bit of savings. And we had to pay COBRA because I was pregnant. Lord... All I can say is GOD is GREAT!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra inspiration this morning TBS - I totally get it! When I get frustrated with my current situation, all have to do is look back at my life a year ago and realize how far I've come.
ReplyDeleteSo important to remember!!
This blog post really hit home. Im thankful my hubby still has a good paying job that allows me to stay home with the kids and run my blogsite. We still struggle and I often pray too. Within a month of each other both our cars went capoot! Ofcourse we can go to car lot and purchase another one but times are very shakey and I dont want a car note. I've been car less for 2 months now, till I can have enough saved up to purchase another one outright. I just think buying a new car is such a waste of money and I don't like that extra stress of knowing the car note is due. I hope I get one soon. Sometimes things like this make us so grateful for what we have.
ReplyDeletegreat post, shameeka. looking back always reminds me how far i truly have come, and how faithful God really is!
ReplyDeleteShameeka, I adore this post. It's always a good thing to look back at the path one has taken. Doing so keeps you centered and makes you realize that while money is comfort, it is cold comfort. The people that populate our lives and complexion of our soul is what really matters.
ReplyDeleteI have always said that while I have been broke at times, I have never been poor. That is a state of mind.
My mother (the most materialistic and narcissistic woman in the world) once said that money is like a hose, you just turn it on and it keeps coming. She doesn't share material goods or of herself ever. Oh well, she is saving her money to die rich and forgetting to live.
In the meantime, I revel in life and friendships while I keep looking for that money faucet. When I find it Shameeka, we will have one heck of a party!
Oh I love what you all have written and I feel like lately all the bloggers I've been reading are speaking to me. Funny, I have been feeling a bit down and stressed for personal reasons and when I find myself in this place it's always a great reminder that we have to take a step back to take a step forward. Thanks for sharing your story and I love what Queen of Cashmere wrote - I think it's interesting - we find some that don't live life and have a great nest egg and some that over spend. Finding the perfect balance sometimes is challenging to do and it takes will power and commitment. But I do believe in living life just not living beyond your means. I love what you wrote and how authentic your post is. Thanks for sharing...!
ReplyDeleteI love that you wrote this post, Shameeka! I imagine that it will hit home for many people. My parents lost their jobs within months of each other when I was in 8th grade. We lived in a fairly affluent part of town, and we ended up technically homeless for a while (nearby family took us in). Though it felt like the end of the world at the time and I lost many friends in the process, I am so thankful for the experience. I was a spoiled kid, but from that point forward I never sought happiness in stuff. As an adult, no matter what I go through, I can handle it because I know things get better.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for you... I'm sure you would go back to a job to support your family if you didn't have a choice, but I love that you're able to create your own opportunities now. A year to find a job? Just look at the star those companies passed up! Amazing.
Thanks for sharing a part of yourself. I to know what this situation was like but you do the best you can and know that all is not lost. Blessings-P
ReplyDeleteI have been there too. I love how transparent you are, and enjoy your writing. I wil say a prayer...Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletexx
KC
Thanks for sharing this post and a little of yourself. I can totally relate to your post and will definitely continue to pray for all out there. My new saying is, I may stumble but I will not fall! I agree broke but not brokeN. Thanks again for sharing :)-CLM
ReplyDeleteBeautifully stated. I was there, too--I spent a few months living on my sister's sofa while I was going through my divorce. I've always been grateful for God's grace and good family and friends--I think that's honestly the only thing standing between many of us and some very bleak circumstances. Thanks for reminding of us what is truly important.
ReplyDeleteGreat post; thanks for the reminder. My grandmother used to always say, "There but for the grace of God, go I."
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I appreciate the reminder. I was just laid off from my job on Friday and have been having a rough several days.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this excellent post! The glass at first glance is half full...and with standfastness, it will definitely run over! I will pray for others! -pearls
ReplyDeleteLove your post, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging post! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I can relate soooo much.
ReplyDeleteA few days late - love your blog - have been following you for about a year and never posted.
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying with this post, I really do. But it is so hard. I had my (almost) dream job, wonderful salary and boom - unemployment. Was out of work for 13 months. Been working almost 1 year again but at less than 1/2 my former pay, miserable job, major step back. Pays the mortgage, provides health insurance but otherwise - zip - cant event afford to save for retirement anymore. I drive 2.5 hours a day, come home wiped out - and alone.
Don't really know what my point is - maybe just needed a place to vent anonymously today.
I really admire what you are doing here and can't wait to see what unfolds next. Maybe, one day, I'll be able to see something encouraging again :-)
-Elizabeth
I really needed this today because I'm going through it right now but I'm trying to keep the faith and it is hard.
ReplyDelete