The New Meaning to Stimulus

fur·lough
n.

1.
a. A leave of absence or vacation, especially one granted to a member of the armed forces.
b. A usually temporary layoff from work.
c. A leave of absence from prison granted to a prisoner.

2. The papers or documents authorizing a leave.

tr.v. fur·loughed, fur·lough·ing, fur·loughs
1. To grant a leave to.
2. To lay off (workers).

Lately, I have developed a new appreciation for the word "furlough."

You can see the definition above for furlough taken from the free online dictionary. While I already knew the definition and the word, I now understand it far better. Or, I'm about to.

For the first time in my life, I am about to experience a furlough from work. Beginning Friday, I will be on unpaid leave from my job. I'm not alone. Everyone who works for our company will be taking 4 weeks of unpaid leave from January - August. Hopefully, the furloughs will not extend longer than that. I guess we'll wait and see how the economy goes between now and then. And, further into 2009.

You see, I've watched the news since Fall time about the economy and how the economy is struggling. I've watched the news intently as they've talked about businesses closing, job layoffs, shut-downs, and yes, furloughs. At first, I had a causal interest, but as the Fall became Winter, I watched with a different perspective in mind.

Our company hasn't made the news, we are a small business of about 100 employees. So, we rarely receive press coverage, and that's fine. But, the stagnant economy is hitting more than just the big three car companies, The Home Depot, and the banks. It is also hurting companies like the one I work for.

So, beginning Friday, I will be joining the ranks of unpaid American workers who are questioning what 2009 will hold for us. By every stretch of the imagination, I'm thankful I have a job! I'm thankful that my boss has done everything in her power to keep the employees we have. Her job is not one that I would want to have now or ever.

Over the next week, I have a lot of work planned. My wife has given me a very detailed list of "honey-do" things that need doing around the house. I'll be painting. I'll be doing yardwork. I'll be building Evan a toy box.

On the other hand, I won't be working. I won't be answering emails. I won't be answering the phone, networking with contacts, assigning writers with articles, attending meetings. I won't be drawing a pay check. That will be the first time that's happened since I began working full-time at the age of 20 years old.

I'll do fine. God is gracious and He provides. Tonya and I aren't worried. We are blessed far more than we deserve to be.

I would ask you to pray for my fellow employees. Pray for other companies that are facing the same decisions we are facing. Pray for employees, of big and small companies, who will be furloughed or laid off in 2009. Difficult days are ahead in 2009.

I don't blame the Democrats. I don't blame the Republicans. I think all of us share some of the responsibility for where we find ourselves today. We've lived so far above our means that we feel that we are entitled to that. Where are we promised that? Where are we promised that we will have bigger and better than our parents? Where are we promised that someone else should support us? Coverage our mortgage? Bail us out when we get ourselves into debt?

James 4:14 gives the promise. Not the promises above. But another promise. James said (in my paraphrase) that life is just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. If I live to be 75 or even 80, what is that really? It's just a vapor. What's all the money I make? A vapor. What's work really about? Again, a vapor.

So, as you pray, pray for our economy, yes by all means do that. Pray for companies struggling to get by. But, more importantly, pray for people who haven't yet grasped the truth that there is more to life than what takes place at work, or on vacation, or out shopping. Or building treasures on earth. Life is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Life is preparing to meet Him in glory.