Signs of the Times

While driving to take care of some business over the week-end, I had the occasion to be in an area of town that I don't often frequent. I only happened to be passing that way because it was en route to where our taxes were being prepared.

This part of town could at one time been described as the place where the wealthy and well-to-do people, lived, worked and dined. I was amazed to see the number of houses for sale. And then so many businesses had shut down too. Empty buildings seeking new tenants.

I began wondering where these businesses moved to. Were they simply just relocated to another area? And what of the residential houses that were begging to be lived in. Were people forced out of their homes because of a lack of employment or foreclosure reasons? Was there some extenuating or unforeseeable circumstances that no longer allowed them to have a part of that American dream?

These signs served as an object lesson for me. It made me realize more and more how blessed I am to have a roof over my head. Things that are sometimes taken for granted, are things that I am beginning to have a better appreciation and gratefulness for, especially when I know of others who don't have these things. It makes me appreciate the bed that I am blessed to sleep on every night. There's still food in my refrigerator and a car in the garage.

When I think about the businesses that I often patronize, do I always assume they will always be there? Based on my observation, that may not always be the case. It's a new day and things are definitely not the same in the business world. Companies have been forced to shut down completely or to reduce its work force. It's not a pretty picture.

It made the current economical situation that we're facing a lot more relevant because it was glaring all around me. People at one time lived in those houses. If walls could talk, what kind of stories would they tell? What kind of memories would they let us in on?

I don't know what your situation looks like today. But I would encourage you to be grateful for those pleasures that we so often overlook in our life. And while you're doing that, offer up a prayer for those who are struggling without a job or home. There's not too many more guarantees anymore. There are signs all around us.

SOURCE:

Personal experience