Venting...

I need some encouragement.

Today has been dreadful so far. Bad news envelopes me and I can’t stand seeing people in turmoil over their current job situations. Things are getting pretty bad here.

As most all of you know, I work for a State Farm agent here in Florida. Seeing that this story has already made National news, I do not feel the need to keep it private. It’s been a game of “waiting” for some time now and we knew that things were bound to get crazy.

State Farm has made the difficult decision to file a plan to discontinue the State Farm Florida business, which includes homeowners, renters, condominium unit owners, personal liability, boats and personal watercraft, and several other lines. NOT including auto, life, health insurance and other financial services.

This, due in part to many reasons of which I cannot disclose at this time due to compliance. However, I will say that we are hopeful. Hopeful, that in this two year period something drastically changes. It could happen. Perhaps? To keep it short, sweet and simple- Government is trying to control the Insurance Industry, just like they they are trying to control health care, the banks, private sectors, etc. More strides toward socialism. People can cuss, yell, scream and pitch fits all day long and curse State Farm Florida but what they don't know is that the Government has initially caused this sort of decision to be made. Yes, the government. Why, you ask? Well, they seem to feel that they should pry into everyone's business because you know, they just do it better. Right? Wrong! It shall come back to bite them, I assure you.

So, guess who gets to be bombarded with calls all day by angry Homeowners who have had their insurance with us since forever? Yours truly.

So, as I brush up on talking points and work on my people skills in preparation for fiery customers to throw their darts at me in every way, shape and form I must keep a couple of things in mind.

I have NOTHING to do with this.
This is NOT my fault.
If I were them, how would I feel?
DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL. DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL. DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL.

Cr*p.

On another down-trodden note, a man came in to the office today due to the fact that His insurance had canceled because of non-pay. Upon receiving such news, he immediately fell apart right in front of me. He started crying and telling us of his current job situation. Apparently he, along with many, many others were laid off recently. This certainly is not the first time I have heard that spiel. It breaks my heart. There are SO many people who are dealing with this and the work field is just so scarce right now. I am grasping my job as tightly as I can and trying to remember to fully “Trust in the Lord”.

The current economic crisis is certainly not attributing to people’s livelihood either. So many are scraping and fighting desperately to make ends meet. It’s just a bad situation and one that has indefinitely caused spasm and even tragic reactions.

For instance, today I read a story online of a man who killed his entire family and then turned the gun on himself due his current job/financial situation. I’m assuming he had been laid off or had to take a cut. Some people solely rely upon their income to make them happy. Some people have no other value in their lives besides their bank accounts.

One scripture keeps coming to mind...



"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:19-24



There where your treasure is, your heart shall be also.

Maybe if we stop placing our entire worth in our money we would be more blessed. I don't know. It makes sense. I mean, don't get me wrong. I know that losing a job when you have a family to support is life altering and devastating. But maybe if we didn't place our complete trust and livelihood into our paychecks and learned to lean on the most reliable provider then we would begin to see a major shift as far as finances go? Just a thought. I'm aware that I am not in this position but my family has been, many a times. And I can attest to the fact that we NEVER were without what we needed and as kids, we always had more than we needed. I've seen financial miracle after financial miracle throughout my lifetime. So why would I just all of a sudden freak out and panic when I KNOW that God has ALWAYS provided for my family? I must remember to keep my trust in Him and not in my bank account nor in this failing economy.

I find one thing to be ironic through all of this. One of the first things Obama did as president was lift the ban on tax funded abortions (of which I was severely disturbed, yet not surprised). In this depleting economy while many parents are having a difficult time feeding their children, our tax dollars are helping to fund abortions in the US AND overseas. Priorities? You may say "Well, if more children are born then that just means there will be more mouths to feed and possibly more poverty, so why not just stop it now before it gets worse?". What a selfish mindset. God will never bless such insanity and absurdity.

Where are our priorities? Where are my priorities? Where are your priorities?

And so the soul searching continues..