What Am I Working For?

It’s ironic that in a land where everything is so big: big cities, big skyscrapers, big houses, big cars, big rims, big entrée’s and big drinks, that the only things that are slim: are the folds of our Calvin Klein wallets and knock off Gucci purses.  I positively aver that I’m not a lazy person.  I work hard, I stay up late working, I get up early working, and even when I am resting, my mind is working ….on something.  Still I have no money and I’m one missing check away from the poor house.  The entire situation just begs to ask the question:  What am I working for?

When I first began working I knew the reasons well.  I believed that the salary that I earned would elevate my station in life.  I believed if I worked and worked hard, I could break the chains of poverty and dependence.  I wanted to work and be industrious, because I wanted to be a credit and benefit to my family.  I held dreams of buying mama a house and buying papa a luxury car.  Lastly, I wanted to work because that is what a good man is supposed to devote himself to.  Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, if a man is not actively engaged in doing something; it won’t be long before by default he’ll be engaged in doing nothing.

It is unlucky for me and a host of other Americans that with the national economic downturn, the outsourcing of American jobs, and the plant closing of billion dollar corporations that move to foreign shores and cheaper labor, I have found myself actively engaged in a job where I do not earn a viable sustaining salary.  In short, I’m living check to check and certainly not boosting my station in life.  I don’t have the means or wherewithal to assist my family or any parts of the community either.  Of all the reasons that I am working the only one that is being met is that I am working, because that is what I am supposed to be doing, working.  I’m working to say, “I’ve got work.” 

Life is full of paradoxes and here is a classic, due to the high price of gas, I’m just working to be able to get to work.  There’s rent, utilities, power, insurance, care for minor children, and taxes.  In addition to all these the prices for food and gasoline just keep expanding.  I wish somebody would kiss me, because it sure feels like I’m being screwed.  My economics has no frills, no thrills, just bills, and it hurts to realize that I’m a wage slave.  I’m tied to my work and my meager paycheck, that keeps me living check to check, and at the check cashing place.  It’s ironic that at the ones I frequent have candy, treats, sodas, and water there.  I do believe they love to see a wage slave coming, they are cognizant and knowing, it’ll be difficult for us to break out of their cycle.  Us who are least, with our tiny monies are the feast.  The system of government we have and their corporate allies will bleed us for all we have and whatever financial institution we run to for shelter and aid will suck us for all we don’t have yet.

Being so broke can make you sick, and God help you, when you are sick the real leeches in the healthcare system will make you sicker….in poverty.  Everybody knows being sick and broke at the same time will kill you!  I am grateful to be in good health and able to work.  It could be the case that I was injured and waiting on disability and their awful year’s long waiting list.  I thank God in sincerity because even though I am working so that I can continue working….God gave me a Savior and with Him he has given me hope for change.