Friday, 21 November 2008

  • What's on Your CHRISTmas list?

        I'm a Christian. Christmas is about God and His message of giving is central to my Christmas activities, because in God's eyes giving is better than receiving. My Christmas wish list is as follows:

    1. Jobs for the Unemployed. Over the past few years, millions of people have lost their jobs due to the current economic state. I've gone from working 12 hour shifts 3-4 days a week, to working 8 hour shifts 5 days a week, and over 200 people will be laid off next year. I can't imagine the pain these people are going to face. I lost a lot of hours, and a lot of money with the switch to 8 hour shifts from 12 hour shifts, and my income is barely covering my bills which has been a very stressful transition, but every day I thank God I still have a job.

    2. Homes for the Homeless. Not only is the unemployment rate at an all time high (and still growing), but there are also millions of people who have lost their homes. My apartment is tiny, too small for the four of us that live here, but at least we have a place to call home. If I could I would invite as many affected people as I could fit to live here with me so that they might be able to share in the luxury of having a roof over their heads.

    3. Food for the Hungry. Losing hours and income has sincerely fractured my diet. Over the past few months I've lost almost 25 pounds, which puts me at 6'0", 143lbs. I'm making just enough to cover bills, and have been getting my groceries from the food shelf. With the unemployment and foreclosure rates skyrocketing alongside grocery prices, there's no doubt in my mind that there are millions of people out there who can't afford to feed their families, and are far worse off than me. In going from living at home and eating three good meals a day to living on my own and eating very little has been a very humbling experience. Don't take a single thing for granted, because there are people out there that can't afford even the little things. Thank God for your food, and keep these hungry people in your thoughts and prayers as if you were one of them.

    4. Gas for those who need it. I would like to add this one to this list, because I just went out to defrost my car and noticed that I'm out of gas. I remember the days when I would complain about how much it was costing to fill my tank, but now, even though gas prices are back to where they were before people started complaining, I don't have any money to put gas in my car. Losing money at work has really shown me some of the things I take for granted, and it's been a truely humbling experience. People need gas to get back and forth to work, and there are some people out there, like me, who just can't afford it.

        So before you go asking for everything in sight, and/or getting angry because there was a 5 minute wait on your McNuggets, take a moment to consider the condition of a good bit of Americans in this financial crisis.

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