The Struggle is Real

What Struggle?

FINANCIAL
The financial struggle is definitely real.  As I mentioned, Jimmy and I quit our jobs earlier this year.  We were recruited to be part of a start up.  We invested in the start up.  We believed in the start up.  The start up fell through.  So, we lived off of our savings (minus what we gave to the start up) until we found new jobs (bye savings, it was so nice knowing ya!).

My new job left me none the worse.  However, Jimmy's new job was just one horrible lie after another: you'll be getting 60 hours a week (or 20, whatever);  everyone who starts in this position starts at X pay rate (not actually true: actually they start out at $4 more an hour);  Oh you found out about the pay thing? You'll be getting a raise after 6 months (or never. You're never getting a raise).

Thankfully Jimmy got his old job back with his old company on his old crew and got a significant pay increase to boot.  He started back the Friday before last.  So, there is a light at the end of this broke ass tunnel.  Yay!

SPIRITUAL
Ok, so we are broke, and it's Christmas.  No, don't feel sorry for or worry about our kids, we aren't that broke.  They will be getting "stuff" on the big day.  But amidst all my worrying about this and then praying about it, I heard, "Hey, what about Me?"  Do my kids even understand why we celebrate Christmas, or am I just leading them down a materialistic path?  I shudder at the thought.

That also makes me shudder at the thought of them losing me before I have done my job as a parent to expose them to what I believe; what I hope they will believe.  That has been a pretty significant struggle recently.  How do I do that?  It seems so overwhelming.

Right now I have settled on starting by finding a good book that tells the story of Christmas on their level.  I have a few contenders, but please feel free to comment or text or email if you have any recommendations.

Also, I think maybe I will physically take at least the boys with me to donate toys this year.  I have taken to doing a massive toy review before Christmas every year and donating the stuff that is in good condition but not really making the cut at our house anymore.  There is a woman's shelter near us where I usually donate the items.  Maybe it will be good for the boys to help pick out the toys and then go donate them.  Silas I know will be on board.  He has the kindest, most giving heart.

WRITING
Yes, I'm still "workin on my novel" (please read that in the voice Stewie uses when discussing same with Bryan) (Stewie Griffin....from Family Guy).

It's still hard.

One of the things I do to try to help is read.

Guess what I decided to read?

All seven Harry Potter books.  In, like, 3 weeks. Yes for the first time.  Yes at age 33.

They are incredible.  If you haven't read them, DO IT!  They will not disappoint.

I have an immeasurable amount of respect for Ms. Rowling after reading those books.  So much talent to create all of that and have it make sense and to tell the story the way she did.  If you can't tell that I am gushing, please know that: I. AM. GUSHING.
 
YOUR STRUGGLE
We all have our struggles, don't we?  Depression has its icy cold hand grasping my heart right now.  I'm fighting it.  I have been trying to do better about reading the Bible and trying to draw strength from it.  So, here are two verses that give me comfort while I'm trying to fight it.  You know, just in case your struggle is dragging you down too and you could use a little encouragement.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Happy Holidays, guys!