Hitting Home

For at least the last year, I've heard about the weakening US economy, the rising foreclosure rate, the weakening dollar, job cuts and all the rest...but nothing's actually hit home. It probably sounds terrible, but in the face of all those announcements, I've gotten a raise, I've been able to pay all my bills on time and really, other than paying almost $50 each time I fill my gas tank...it's not been that real to me.

That is until yesterday.

Yesterday, the president of our company called an all-staff conference call - for staff of all seven offices to be together to hear some announcement at one time. And, that's when she announced that our smallest office...our office in Santa Fe...will be closed. Some staff were let go this week, some were offered positions in one of our other six offices and some will have their last day once projects are transferred or closed out....but all's to be finished by April 30. The reasons behind the closure make sense....they're completely logical and fiscally intellgent. But, at the same time, that "logical" decision affects the lives of the 10 people who've worked in that office.

It was a decision that was made at a board meeting last week....and a decision carried out this week. So...last week, all 10 of those people had a stable job. This week, most of them (though given a generous severance package) have no idea what the future holds. And, thought it wasn't "personal...but business"...it's still hard.

It just sucks on so many levels. I barely know those people in that office and it still tears me apart for them. Not cool. Not at all. But, real. It's life, I guess.

There was a brief moment - after hearing that announcement - that I thought, oh gosh, I could be next. What if it were our office. But, I know that my job is stable. My office is stable. We're doign well right now and we're basically the company headquarters...so we're not going anywhere. But...when the numbers you hear on the news about job cuts actually have names and faces attached to them...even if it's just 10 people's...it makes it all hit home.

Thank You, Jesus, for my job...and moreso, that my security is in You....not in my job. (though I can't imagine how I'd react if I lost my job....)