It really isn't rocket science. Trust me, I've worked with rocket scientists, yet believe that we, the people, have the means to change our economy and lives. If we'd ALL change our mindset, doing and looking to do for others who struggle more than each of us, not just for charitable organizations, but real people around us, hope and economical recovery would grow. If EVERYONE would sacrifice and give, choosing to live more reasonably for a time, EVERYTHING would change.
I can only read about The Great Depression which began in 1929, and have heard many stories from a few who lived through it. A little later in history, legal immigrants, the Japanese, were displaced into internment camps loosing everything they worked so diligently for as part of 'The American Dream' yet quietly and diligently rose again to 'recover' and regain what was taken. They once again found themselves with nothing and over time, rebuilt their lives, without government hand-outs.
The 'American Dream' isn't found in government provision, nor is it found in a life of sloth. The 'Dream' is not a hand out or something we each 'deserve', an obligatory gift, but instead is designed out of diligent realistic thinking, entrepreneurial thinking combined with a willingness to for go and take less than we have been, for now, and do that which will improve our economy and community.
Can we start here?....
I donate.
I was recently approached by a friend to help her daughter's preschool by purchasing some candy. I don't need the candy, so instead I offered a direct donation of the equal amount of money to the school. 100% of my dollars went to the preschool.
I am willing to work.
I lost my job as a teacher, living on unemployment for over a year, while trying to make some sort of new direction for me as a career. After a year of limited success, I sought employment at a national home improvement store, working part-time, making less than I did on unemployment, but utilizing my past contractor skills mixed with my people skills. I am no longer on the doles of the government.
I volunteer.
Using my skills in computers and classroom management, I volunteer as the technology lead at my church and lead a grief recovery program there as well. I also volunteer at a local city run hospital, sharing music and encouragement to the long time patients at the facility, many with genetic disease.
I look for opportunity.
It is time to help others, not just monetarily, but educationally. We all know the adage about catching fish for others and teaching to fish, or farming and teaching to farm. It is time everyone start somewhere, as teachers and inspirational coaches and as workers, willing to start below where we think we deserve. Not a hand out, but a hand up.
I dream.
Not unrealistically, but tangibly. This little blog is a part of my dream. I doubt I'll ever get BIG with millions of readers, but I am trying to start somewhere. Making a small difference with a few friends and hoping, if my message is 'right', to be invited onto the computer screens of other friends of friends. I dream of a people who finally get it, especially those with unreasonable salaries and us with reasonable salaries giving not just of money, but time to make a difference in the lives of others.
I hope.
I do believe in the goodness of man, but see that man's wisdom is very limited. My hope is in God. He is not my Santa Claus in heaven, He is not impersonal or hostile. With all the intelligence I can muster, as I examine the truth of looking for Him and seeking His wisdom. I have found that many who claim to be His are in fact claiming it for all the wrong reasons...like owning a fire insurance policy and starting a fire in your own home. No, there is real hope. It doesn't have even a tinge of selfishness or deceit. It is real. This hope is attainable even in the deepest of struggle. This hope will transform the way we think and do, but it isn't just a part of our natural nature and make up.
We are designed in the image of God. An image is only a likeness. For an image to take on the character of the 'real thing', something miraculous must occur; it must be transformed from merely an image toward having the nature and property of the real thing. I have met and befriended many people who are moving from image to real because they serve and have a relationship with God. Why? Because God is real and He is interested in changing us and our world.
I wander.
And I will continue to do so. However, as I wander away from God, I find myself discovering that seeking selfish comfort or honor is empty. I have also discovered that what others intend for my destruction, God can use for my good. This kind of wisdom dramatically changes the way I choose to live. I complain far less and spend a lot more of my days filled with joy; real joy.
I am not sure if you will be offended or enticed towards a personal relationship with God. I am just saying that nothing, absolutely nothing has transformed my life more than seeking absolute truth, wisdom and insight that is far beyond my own.
I donate, am willing to work, volunteer, look for opportunity, dream, hope and even wander. All of these endeavors meet a far different reality when they are placed in the hands of a God who desires to transform me into a more complete image of God Himself, for the good of all people. Not just a picture which can be viewed with all sorts of personal baggage, but the image with the character and nature of God, in such a way that His true character cannot be misconstrued. Will you choose to join us? For those who claim to be His, are you really living as part of the real nature and character of The One whose image you claim? For all of us followers, it is time to be a more complete image of our Maker, forging us into the very character and nature of Himself. He will use us, to transform lives.
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