We are the average American family. There is nothing special or unique at all about us. We have a house, one car, and kids. We're educated, one of us holds a full time job and the other a part time job. We pay our dues, have never asked for government assistance (unless you count student loans), and we play by the rules. The only debt we have is in the form of student loans and medical bills. We don't use credit cards, our car is paid for (although slowly falling apart), and we don't spend frivolously. We live in in a nice, quiet neighborhood and our house is not a McMansion. No, we are not unique or extraordinary by any means, but we do share a common thread with so many other families in the United States.
We are slowly going broke and cannot even afford the basic necessities.
You wouldn't ever know this by looking at us. We keep up a good front. We stay optomistic that the one of us that is working part time will eventually find a full time job. I could tell you the whole sob story about how difficult it is to find work in the poorest region of the United States, but I'll spare you those details. It has not been for lack of trying. Sometimes life just throws you some unexpected curveballs and you're left to try and figure out where to go from there.
Not a day goes by that I don't shake my head in wonder about how we ended up this way. We never wanted a big house, several fancy cars, or designer clothes. All we wanted was a backyard for the kids, a secure job, and to live as simply and happily as we could without struggling. One of us worked full time and attended college in order to get that degree that would guarantee the good job and adequate salary, the other served their country and now works in a blue collar job. The one with a college degree is now working for minimum wage. How ironic.
We know we are blessed in so many ways, and I personally am clinging to my own faith and hope in my saviour, Jesus Christ, to help us work our way out of this mess. Notice I didn't say to "take all of these problems away". I know that growing in my walk with the Lord requires some stumbles and falls along the way that will only serve to strengthen my relationship with Him. I know that whatever the outcome that I have my faith and my family, things that money can never buy.
We are scared but we are not alone.
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About Me
- Just Average @ Family On The Verge
- We are just the average American family that works hard, lives simply, and yet is still finding it harder and harder to just afford the basics.
2 comments:
God bless. Hopefully you'll be able to find full time work soon, and work your way out of the hole you're in. I know it's frustrating, but you'll make it through.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17"
Believe me, I know all about how it is to keep up a good front. I've become a master illusionist, using smoke and mirrors to keep it looking like I've got everything under control. In the end, though, the only ones we fool are ourselves.
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