Thoughtless Words

It seems so easy.  Think before you speak.  But, so many people don't bother to put their thoughts before their words.  We are all sinners and everyone speaks out of turn at various times, but thoughtless words can have big and frequently unknown consequences.  The woman who embarrassed my husband and son at church on Sunday doesn't realize that she is driving away the few teens who attend church with any regularity.  She was simply making her opinions and thoughts known in a manner that made my teens, who already feel self-conscious at church, to state that they are dropping their membership as soon as they turn 18.  Church has been a struggle for my children the last few years.  They feel out-of-place and uncomfortable. 

I realize that it isn't optimal for people to leave church before they are ushered out.  Unfortunately, my husband and teens are required to work on some Sundays.  They leave the service during the final hymn, from the very back of the sanctuary.  They sit on the end of the pew and leave quietly by the side door to cause as little distraction as possible.  Commenting loudly in a faux whisper (easily heard 5 rows away) about people leaving to go to work, undermines my children's desire to attend church on the Sundays that they must work.

There are only around 70 people in church on most Sundays.  There are 6 teens (4 are my children), 5 elementary-aged children (two are my children), 1 infant and about a dozen under-70-year old adults.  The remainder of the people are 70-95 years of age.  It is a blessing to have so many elderly people in church each Sunday, but please don't drive away the younger people by embarrassing them.  It's very difficult to feel that you belong, when there is no one else your age in attendance. 

I fully realize that the elderly woman wasn't trying to drive my children out of the church.  I realize that it is much better to NOT work on Sunday.  Jobs are tough to find in this economy and employers of high school students aren't willing to give days off  during the weekend.  My children have requested to NOT work on Sunday mornings, so that they can attend church.  Isn't it better for them to hear God's Word while leaving during the last hymn, than not come to church at all? 




 

Job Search Update

Katie did nailed the job interview, but wasn't able to get hired. The position requires that all staff members be at least 18. The manager asked up to keep updating her application, because he wants to hire her when she is old enough.

******Snarcky comment****
The application asked if she was 18. She had responded that she was NOT 18. Why did they bother calling her for an interview?

Potential Job

Katie has a job interview tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!She is so excited about the possibility of working again. She has experience working with the product, so hopefully she will go well. If she is hired, she won't be going to the public high school.

Update

Allie came down with strep throat a couple of days ago. She's been pretty easy to entertain and isn't too cranky. With all the illnesses our family has come into contact with lately, I decided to push more green vegetables in our diet. Today, I made a cream of asparagus soup . Overall, most of the family enjoyed the meal.

The four older kids are really enjoying their Tang Soo Do classes. Madelyn is getting a lot of positive feedback from the instructor, which is helping her confidence level. Joe and Steve practice everyday whenever they have a few spare minutes.

Business has been really slow for Mike. I struggle with fears about being able to make our bills throughout the month. Because Mike is paid by commission, it is very difficult to prepare a budget. December was a really slow month and his earnings were 1/4 of what we needed. I'm stretching the food in the cupboard and freezer to last until the end of February. I know that the job change was really positive for Mike and needed to be done. He has a lot less stress before that he no longer has. He enjoys working with the customers and no longer dreads going to work. We also could not afford for him to drive so far everyday.

I went outside to widen our driveway today and enjoy a little of the sunshine. The wind was very brisk, but the sunshine provided my mood with a much needed lift. I keep reminding myself, only 8 more weeks of winter.