I do believe.

The Bible Study group I'm in has been studying Revelation.  The main focus of Revelation seems to be worship, even in the worst of times, worship Him.  My 'worst' time right now, the loss of my friend, does make it difficult to worship.  However, I had an 'ah ha' moment because of it.

Because my friend lived alone and died unexpectedly, no one is sure exactly when she died.  That fact troubled and hurt me greatly when I first heard the news.  Why hadn't I stopped by last week?  And more than anything else, the thought of her being alone at that particular moment caused me great pain.

I took this photo last fall because it was so breathtaking.
Today, it seemed to fit this post, because it is so breathtaking.

After crying on my husband's shoulder for a time on the night I found out, I went to the chapel at our church.  As I knelt at the rail, I felt a sense of calm, a sad and tearful calm, but a calm none the less.  Elsiemay was not alone! Jesus was with her, at her side as she crossed from this life into the next.  That realization strengthened my faith, removed the little bits of doubt that niggle your mind and heart in times of sorrow.  I was comforted by this spiritual assurance.  I cannot explain why, perhaps some would say it's what I wanted and needed to know, but I choose to believe, because I'm always asking Him something, whether it be in prayer or in conversation, that at a profound moment, He chose to give me an answer. An answer, I chose to believe.

Work frustration

This marquee sign at our local theater caused both Marty & I to laugh.  Even though there are 1000's of people without  jobs, sometimes it seems an impossible mission to find, hire and retain a good employee.
The manufacturing business where my husband works is a prime example.  We both will agree, the wages are not top notch.  However, they have decent benefits, the company has grown and they continue to make changes, planning for the future.
The biggest issue in Marty's department is the turnover.  He supervises second shift in a warehouse.  His employees, after training, are expected to know about packaging, part numbers, shipping details and return procedures. They learn fork truck operation and trailer loading procedures as appropriate.  An employee is also expected to be on time to work and show up everyday.  A positive attitude with an inclination to learn would be considered a huge bonus!  Unfortunately for Marty, who has worked there 18 years, employees who grasp the warehouse mindset are few and far between.
The work environment is tedious at times, always counting inventory, stacking boxes, pulling orders and loading trucks.  And  depending on the season, it can be too hot or too cold. Marty & I talked about the number of people he has trained and lost, rough guess, 200+.  During the worst periods it has been as many as 2 or 3 a month.
Most of these employees have been 20 somethings.  NOT lumping ALL 20 somethings together because we do know many that are wonderful young people,  assets to the business and to the community.  But as mid range baby boomers, Marty & I wonder where his experience group learned their work ethic or more to the point, why they don't have a good work ethic??
Who told them it's OK to not show up for work during the second week of a new job, without calling?
Who told them it's OK to not take a bath, brush their teeth or wash their hair, at the very least, once a week?
Who told them it's OK to disrespect their supervisor and fellow employees with colorful  #@$%%  language?
Who told them they don't have to work to support themselves and their families?
Who told them they don't have to have a reliable form of transportation so they can report to work?

Marty and I are not a perfect employees by any stretch, but in 18 years each, at our current jobs, Marty has missed maybe 12 days of work; I've probably missed double that amount. And in Marty's case there have been several years in a row when he didn't miss a single day!  But many of these young people miss 12 or more days in their first 3 or 4 months and then wonder why they are let go.  When they are let go, Marty gets someone new to train and the frustration of the cycle starts all over.

A different point of view

Normally, I'm cooking Marty something to eat right about now but tonight he called to say they are staying late so they don't have to work tomorrow.  I'm sorry he's staying late but glad he doesn't have to work tomorrow.  I"m not going to work either.  I about put myself in a coma last weekend trying to meet a deadline....I did by the way...not going to do that this weekend.  My poor house has been neglected for several weeks now, vacation, community projects and work all seem to come before housework--isn't that a surprise?!!
Marty's cousin and his wife stopped by for a quick visit as I was walking out the door going to work this morning. I stayed to chat a couple minutes, I didn't want to be rude, we rarely get company.  She mentioned the last time she was at our house, the basement was not finished.  The basement has been finished for nearly 3 years; isn't that sad, they live 15 minutes away from us.
I remember as a little girl all the family gatherings at my Grandma's house, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, all hanging out, eating and talking. I grew to love porch swings at that time in my life.  Grandma let me set with her and whomever was visiting with her; one of my favorite memories.  I knew most of my relatives by name at that time even though I was only 6 or 7.  But today, 50 years later, I would pass them on the street and not recognize any of them.
What happened to those times of family, those times of sharing meals, sharing news, sharing chores before heading home?  What happened to cause that bond to stretch so far that 15 minutes is too far away to drop by for a visit?
We're a big family, most of us have lived away from home for years at a time so perhaps that plays a part.  We become accustomed to doing things without family, being independent and self surviving. I am that person.  I can always do what needs to be done one way or another.  Rarely do I ask family to help me.  I'm the oldest, the wisest :), I'm the helper, the listener, the provider, the person who always rushes to help others, including family, but I don't call them in return.
My pastor said that's doing a disservice to myself and my family, both blood family and church family.  He said I am depriving those I care about an opportunity to be what God created them be, family, and do, have relationships.  I've thought about that comment a lot since I heard it that Sunday morning.  I never really looked at family in that way.
I read another little note of wisdom recently--- paraphrasing --- if you don't feel love, chances are pretty good you're not giving love. You may think you are but really examine it, what are your motivations, what's in your heart?  Is that me?  Do I do the helping and fixing because I believe that's what I'm supposed to do or is it because it's what I want to do?
No better time than now to make changes, right?  While I'm sewing, crafting and wrapping this weekend I'll be examining ME.