Unemployed but So Wealthy

UNEMPLOYED BUT STILL WEALTHY

(True story)

            Following four layoffs in nine years, Frank and I worked hard to reduce our mountain

of debt, accrued through illness and a few emergency situations and no job.  My husband

enjoyed going to his job each day and we rejoiced over each and every paycheck.

            The nightmares of being unemployed multiple times seemed to be over and life returned

slowly to normal. However, Frank called me early one day.  It surprised me and an icy hand of

fear touched me.  No, Lord.  Not again! 

“I just received my pink slip and as of today, I’m no longer employed,” he told me.  “I’ll be home soon.” 

The Lord gave me grace to be supportive and I murmured platitudes about how we would

make it through this.  Following the call, the impact of his news hit me.   I took it straight to God

and poured out my panic.  For years we had lived on a shoestring budget, trying to make ends

meet.  We hadn’t bought new clothes or splurged on anything during that time.  Vacations

or even eating out once in awhile were not options.  Financial blow upon blow kept raining

down on our family.  Why, God?  Why us?  We’ve tried so hard to be faithful.

            As I prayed, cried and thought about the situation, I sensed a peace of sorts.

Still, it bothered me.  We faced an unknown future with no health insurance, no 401K and had no

idea of how long this situation would last. 

            Frank worked hard and gave his best being diligent and loyal in every job.  I’ve never

known anyone with a better work ethic.  He desired to be the breadwinner and take care of our

family.  Yet, once again, he lost his job.  It just didn’t make sense.

            He inspired me as he set the alarm and got up each morning, showered and prepared

himself as if he were going to work somewhere.  He then started the onerous task of searching

for jobs online and sending out resumes and applications, which is a full-time job in itself.  His

perseverance and uncomplaining attitude never failed to impress me.

            This current layoff came one month before the events of September 11, 2001.

Little did we know that we would face 19 long months of joblessness.  Thankfully, we lived one

day at a time, just focusing on surviving that day.  We had refinanced our house during a  

previous layoff, just to stay afloat.  It helped, but now we were carrying a larger mortgage. 

Eventually, we had to sell our house to get out from under the increased house payments.

The housing market then was iffy and we wouldn’t have made any money on it if our

realtor hadn’t reduced her commission significantly, allowing us to make a small profit under

$500.00.

People volunteered help with the repairs on the house.  In fact, godly brothers and

sisters in the Lord poured out their resources.  They helped us with food, clothing, cash and

helped us move to an apartment and clean the house we were leaving.  The landlord accepted us,

even though we weren’t working (I had been sidelined from work outside the home for years due

to a chronic illness).  In fact, the manager actually gave us a rebate for moving in.  The rent was

hundreds of dollars less than our  mortgage payment, which helped enormously.

One couple offered us food if we wanted to pick it up.  When we arrived we found a

freezer filled to the brim with probably more than $1000.00 worth of frozen food.  Then they

told us to take the freezer too!

            In spite of all the offerings, we still needed help.  Prayer and faith bolstered us through

that awful time.  But, God blessed us with a lack of tension, in spite of the fearful circumstances,

and we worked well together, not taking our frustrations out on each other.  A number of

meaningful discussions took place, however, and we tried hard to communicate well and often.

            One day the phone rang.  My brother-in-law in Germany called to inform us of Frank’s

mother’s death.  We had no money and no way of going to Germany.  In Sunday school, one

man came to us and said he wanted to help us and gave us enough frequent flyer miles to let both

of us go to Germany to be there for our brother. 

            “Do you have any spending money for your trip?” one of my fellow altos in choir asked.

“You’ll need some.”  She then gave me $300.00.  This act of kindness blessed me greatly

because I knew she gave sacrificially. 

During that same time, we had to declare bankruptcy.  The process humiliated us, but

didn’t break us.  God became more real to us through those dark months.  He spoke to us through

our family in Christ through their loving generosity as they sought to help us emotionally,

financially and spiritually.  Their actions showed  His compassion and care more than any

words.

            We didn’t lose anything of significant value, though we lost a lot of pride, material goods

and other non-important things.  Our marriage grew stronger.   As we looked bankruptcy in the

face,  God gave us grace to submit our belongings to His care.

            In spite of great losses, we gained so much more.  Submitting to God in the midst of the

most frightening experiences of life, in our case, our very livelihood, we fell into the arms of a

loving and living God.   

           

Life continues to be a financial struggle as we strive to get out from under debts incurred

during that time.   But, one thing I know: we possess true riches, no matter what our bankbook

says.    

Endnote:  My husband has a wonderful job that fits him in every way and we were able to take our first vacation in years.  What a blessing!