The Struggle to Survive: A Giving Thanks Story
Seven Months
It took seven months trying to freelance, installing sound systems, renovating a house, and doing every odd job I could find, yet I could not make ends meet.
I sold every item in my house that was not a necessity and would net more than $100.
I lost a car I really enjoyed. I struggled to pay for the vehicle large enough to haul my growing family around. I maxed out credit cards, flirted with having our utilities cut off, and had my credit score nearly cut in half.
Seven months of burning up our savings. Seven months of job applications without an interview. Friends and family rallied around us and helped us pay rent, and our landlord has been very forgiving.
We limped into the end of our lease without hope of signing a new one — the result of which would be to displace our family of seven.
Seven people. Seven months.
I am finally able to say that I have a full time job that will, at the very least, stabilize us. We can pay the basics and slowly — VERY SLOWLY — pay down some of our insurmountable debt.
The Perpetual Struggle
We are not out of the woods yet. I need to negotiate a new lease. I need to put my entire broken spirit into this job so that I might be recognized for a promotion when one comes up.
I need to balance my new job with a home I have become quite accustomed to over the past seven months.
Giving Thanks
I have grown closer to my wife and children. I have grown closer to God and my church. I have grown closer to my family. I have been humbled and learned not to take things for granted. I have changed my mindset from one of entitled selfishness to thankfulness in suffering.
I am blessed with reasonably good health and people who love me. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who, despite my flaws, have supported us— though this is likely because of my lovely kids, not me.
There are those that have it better than I do. There are those that have it worse.
Either way, thank you. I look forward to applying these developing traits and relationships.
I would have given thanks this Thanksgiving no matter what our situation. I am blessed beyond measure, and I will remember this struggle for the rest of my life.
