What Are You Thankful for This Year? Wanna Trade?

I know that with the economical situation these past few years a lot of people lost their jobs and their lifestyle changed. Some became more grateful than others because of this and some became more bitter?

What did the circumstances do to you?

It seems that entrepreuners have come out of the dark and more and more people are finding out that now they are doing what they have been always wanting to do; their passion and dream is coming to pass; for some the effects of the economy and maybe other circumstances left them with a bitter taste in their mouth.

" The holidays are not what they used to be anymore", we hear people say. " I don't even feel like Christmas is coming..." I understand.

Oh, the simplicity of life! I remembered how when my grandparents were kids they did not worry about money so much. They just needed a little bit of cash for the power bill. They had a well in their yeard, they had plenty of food because of the animals and gardens they had, and school did not cost anything.

Everything is driven by money now.I do not know why society has changed in just a few generations like that. From our grandparents to us is not many generations at all.

We are consumers and not many producers out there. God has been really putting on my heart to become a producer somehow. I read Proverbs 31 today ..well...most of it..and I was impressed to see how this lady had so many avenues of production: she knitted I guess because she used wool and yarn, she made her own bed linen and blankets, she made belts for the business people and shirts and that is what she sold, and then she also planted a vinyard and bought some land. If you really pay attention to her life you can definitely see she was a producer. That is why she did not lack.

I read yesterday that the American economy is headed towards a collapse. I pray it will not happen because it won't be only us suffering, but also the majority of the world. But what got America in trouble is all the debt. Debt is using someone else's money and when it is time to pay it back, we do not have it.

What if we all used a little elbow grease and start producing something? If we might have to haggle or trade to live at least we will not be begging others. You know my dad is very intelligent and he is a metal lathe worker. He makes engines, pistons, motorcycle parts, etc. he is the best there is in Europe. I am not kidding. He is sought by so many people and was even asked to move to a different country to work for others, but my dad said, " No, you come to me if you need me". Well, the other thing is that the Romanians do not always have money to pay him so he told them since the people in the country are mostly producers, "Fine. You cannot pay me with money, so then just bring me a big sack of corn and that is my payment". Others bring him wood for the winter( I know.My dad doesnt like technology).Others bring him chickens. So, the only money he needs is for power. He has a well in his yard and a small garden.

My dad cannot work because he lost a leg. yet he rides a tricycle. yes, you read it right. My dad is a fighter. he will never give up. I mean he cant work in the garden,but he made himself a leg( yep..he made it, too out of metal...you should see it because what the hospital gave him he could not wear) and he stands on one leg for 12-14 hours a day(doctor told him not to do that anymore) and he works. He is a diligent man and he has a huge house, money, and everything is paid for. I only wish I had an once of his street-smarts and book smarts!

So, I was thinking today, " Who said that money should be the only currency?" What if we started trading with one anothe according to our needs? No, probably most of us do not like that idea because we all want money, but we use money to buy food. What if someone gave you food for a service? What if you could pay me with corn for tutoring your child? I would take it. I will have it milled and use it for mush or cornbread. That is food.

Tough times will bring out the creativity in us. Then we would not have to worry and we could honestly give God a heartful thanks this year.

God did not promise us money. He gave us talants and talents/gifts to use them to be resourceful. How about it? Let's use them?

Anyone want to trade anything? What are you thankful for this year?