I just had to write a blog because I feel mostly for my friends who have families and are struggling way more than I. People are losing their jobs by either getting laid-off or being fired if they don't resign. I know so many people who have lost their jobs within the last year and it seems like it's getting worse.
Everyone is even dealing with the shock of the cost of living rising. I went shopping the other day and was shocked as the prices keep climbing. I usually have to buy the costly $3.00 whole wheat bread because it's better for me; but now that $3.00 has turned to almost $5.00 now, even the $1.95 toothpaste I used to get has been raised a dollar and forget the fact that I buy 2 different kinds, one regular and one for sensitive teeth. The Sensodyne which is usually costly for me has doubled in price. I found it for $6.00; I decided to wait until I find it cheaper somewhere else.
When I shop, I have to really focus on, do I really need this item that I am about to buy because I can save that money and it will help the rising grocery bill. Then there are the companies that do the unthinkable and decide to raise electric, gas, or water and you can't live without those, so they usually get their money.
The city I live in, is looking scarce in some areas because of businesses' closing. People can't afford to pay for the extra expense on the own business, let alone on their house. It saddens me to see this happen because I know with each business that has closed, there are people hurting, and each of those people have families who have to eat, buy what they need, and just survive.
A couple of months ago, when I went to the Post Office, I asked a person there if stamps would go up in price within the next few months, They reassured me that it would not happen. On the news yesterday,I heard that stamps will go up 2 more cents to equal .44 cents. I know that it is just a few cents, but those cents add up. I decided from that point on, to buy the forever stamps only because even if I bought the forever stamp at .40 cents, I can use it now for the .42 cent stamp and I don't have to add any more postage. Well, you might want to buy more stamps because in May, stamps will be raised to .44 cents. Not only is the economy in the United States not doing well, they announce that California is in a financial crisis. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing all he can to cut the financial problems. He even said he may cut the unemployment payments or put it on hold for awhile. I can not imagine how my friends who were laid-off from their jobs because of the economy, and now won't be able to afford to eat if their unemployment is cut. There are so many people looking for jobs, yet there is not jobs to be found. I did find one job at a place near my doctor named YESCO. Check it online to see what it is.
I have another friend who had to foreclose on their house and when the White House promised that bailout money would go to banks to help people who lost their homes, the bank would not help my friends. It is a devastated time for them and are trying to make the best of it. Their family of four had to move in with a relative and that has happened to several of my friends. It not only reminds me of the "end times," it also reminds me of the Bible days when there was a great famine in Egypt and people could not even afford to eat. They had to sell their homes and land in exchange for food from Pharoah. (Genesis chapters 41-42 and chapter 47:20-26). I often wonder if something like that will happen here. I wonder if because people can't afford their homes, they can't find jobs, and they can't afford food, etc... Will we get to the point where we are so desperate for food and survival that we would sell our items to the government in exchange for food .
"Joseph said to the people, 'Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharoah, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground...'" (Nothing may happen at all; I just keep thinking about the Bible during those hard times for those people in surrounding areas near Egypt.)
I want to encourage you to look to God during this very crucial time in the United States. It is easy to worry about everything, but try to remember God sees all and knows all; he is greater than the government or the economy.
