The recent tornado hasn’t just hit the homes of families throughout the city, but they’ve taken a huge hit out of the economy as well. Many people may have their homes still standing, but the places that employ them are no longer in business. Wade is one of these guys that was lucky to make it out with his house still standing, but his job and source of livelihood are gone. I sat and talked with him for a few minutes about the weather and all that we had seen over the last day, and then he finally told me how it had affected him. He told me how bad he felt because while people were trying to pick up their homes, he was just left without a job. I’ve never met someone that felt bad in this way about losing their job.
Wade’s wife works with me and she is nursing a broken foot while still trying to keep up her own hours at the shop. He told me that he couldn’t just sit at home and not work, so he showed up to help his wife get around the office so she could work a full day and they could still spend the time together. I had to leave a few times throughout the day and each time I returned, they had stacks of orders already pulled, filled, and packed, ready to ship. We were able to get a good bit done today, and it allowed us the chance to get to know each other along the way.
He finally asked me if I knew anyone that needed electricians. He told me that he really wanted to just help people out around town and help them get their houses back up and running, but there’s no real “middle of the road” here anymore. Either we’re back to life as normal with power and no damage, or we’re still staring at the pile that used to be a home. As far as relief work goes, we may be a while before we get to the point where trained electricians that aren’t employed by the power company are needed. Wade knew this already, but was determined to find someway to get work.
This is a dilemma that so many people around this city are facing. Do we go back to work to get the paycheck to provide for our needs and family, or do we abandon it to help people out around us? It’s a hard decision to make. While unemployment may be declining in areas, a good job is still a hot commodity, and as stewards, we need to be able to provide for ourselves and our family. On the other hand, we’re called to help out those around us sacrificially. So what does that look like? Wade is searching for the answer to that question as he faces going back to work versus going into the relief business.
There is so much to be done in this city, and there is certainly no shortage of need. We all just need to find our place and serve. That’s all we were ever called to do. Our part.
