There have been times in my life when I had VERY LITTLE of it. I have been on government assistance several times throughout my life and I have learned a little something.
- The "system" does not care if you ever get off of it. (I realize I am generalizing but, this has been my experience.)
- There are people who really want to help those in need.
- There are people that want NOTHING to do with you if you have no money.
- I will put my pride aside to support my children.
Each of the things I have listed may someday be their own blog posts.
Currently I am very blessed. My husband has a job that pays him well. I have a job in which I get paid to do what I LOVE and what God has called me to do! We don't have a lot compared to some but we have enough for us. Our home and vehicles are modest and they are what we can afford. I still have times in which money is tight, but I am no longer on government assistance and haven't been for quite some time. I even try to help others in need when I can.
Yesterday I was reminded of the hold money has on us. I have been teaching Summer School to help offset the cost of a surgery I will have to have in a few weeks. Yesterday was payday and we were all made aware of a payroll mistake that affected everyone in our school corporation, including all working with the Summer School program. I received a paystub that had one amount but a smaller amount was actually deposited in my account. I was informed that the correct amount would be deposited on Monday and the incorrect amount would be withdrawn a few days after that. (I know... what a mess!) My family was not greatly affected because I have a husband that is employed and I did get paid something. However!!!! Several people, like my assistant, NEEDED the money! Her husband has been out of the country and for nine months and she is supporting their 15 month old daughter. She needed to pay bills such as day care. She received NO MONEY AT ALL! She was told her pay would be deposited on Monday. This outraged me! I then realized that most of the people who received no money were support staff (custodians, secretaries, assistants, etc). These are commonly the people who need every penny they have earned WHEN they have been told they will be paid.
I have realized that those who have never been without cannot, or don't want to, realize that not everyone is as fortunate as they are! I cannot believe that they felt it was okay to make her wait three days for the money she has worked for. I am sure if she owed them money they would not be so patient.
I do realize that this was a mistake made. I do NOT, for one second, believe that anyone did this on purpose. Mistakes happen... But when they are made, they need to be fixed in a reasonable manner for the people affected. I really don't feel that it is reasonable for anyone that has worked for a paycheck and is in need of the money to have to wait three days for their pay. Even a partial amount would have been better than NOTHING.
I saw that once people realized that their pay was okay, they left without another thought for those that got nothing. Some people were actually given live checks to take to their bank, while some got nothing. It makes me sick that those in charge did not do SOMETHING! I offered my assistant some money to hold her over but she would not accept it. She said she had family that would help her out. I pray that this Monday she will be given the money owed to her and I will be contacting anyone who will listen if she is not paid. I'm just a teacher and really have no pull with anyone but, I can't just sit back and see people treated unfairly!
I praise God that He has blessed me and my family with everything we need. I pray that He guides those that are in need and provides for them. I pray for those involved in the mistake and that people will forgive them and not hold grudges. I pray that those in charge will have a change in heart and do what it takes to ensure EVERYONE is taken care of.
Acts 20:35
The Message (MSG)
33-35 “I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”
Luke 6:38
The Message (MSG)
37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
Proverbs 19:17
The Message (MSG)
17 Mercy to the needy is a loan to God,
and God pays back those loans in full.
and God pays back those loans in full.
Angie
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