BEADS
OF JOY 05-03-15
“Poverty
2015”
©2015 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Please don’t misunderstand when I
speak of some of the different aspects of poverty that I do know first-hand;
and yes I am well aware that there are certain kinds of poverty I just don’t
know. While I understand “hunger” -I do not understand “starvation”. While I
understand that I am unable to “pay our utility bills” and we get late fees and
shut-offs; I haven’t a clue what it means to be “homeless”. The POVERTY I will
be reflecting upon today is the poverty that we have lived; and that so many of
you have shared with me also live. It’s a different kind of poverty of our day.
How did we get here America? Was
it caused by our selfish, greedy, wealthy government officials (multi-millionaire
public servants)? Maybe? Was it caused by a low hourly pay rate, no one can possibly
live on? Maybe? Was it caused by the overall greed and lack of charity of so
many who watch close friends and family struggle? Maybe? Was it caused by the
rising cost of food and medical expenses and the increase of illness and
disease? Maybe?
But then maybe it was caused by a
sad combination of all of these things that has taken its toll on what use to
be middle class. We are no more middle of anything, we have been dissolved in
this new era of survival. The America I grew up in, is no more, it is gone. What
the future holds for the poor can be bad, we are the burden to society. And
with the philosophy of today’s world, burdens and unwanted things get
discarded. Yes these are my views. I do not live by any political agenda, just
a common sense view of what I see and what I have lived.
Are
you facing issues with food?
Food is the never ending battle
for most families that are struggling today. Food prices continue to rise and
food quality assistance continues to decrease. And then once you add children to
the mix of food challenges; these challenges tear your heart to pieces when you
can’t even keep food on the table. Many of you have shared this particular
challenge with me. This is one of the hardest experiences families face today. I
have been told about so many sad stories though the years in ministry.
How many of you like us resort to
constantly (when you can) eat pasta or cheap frozen pizza, or those wonderful
$1.00 microwave “meal things” or the .37¢ cup a soup. Then of cause we hear
from those wonderful wealthier friends and family with zero experience in
poverty or food challenges in anyway tell us, “You should be feeding your kids
healthier food, healthier meals.” I hear this all the time… I say, “Really, and
how do you suppose I do that, pull it out of the sky, we can’t afford to buy
any real quantity of healthier foods, it gets too expensive????” Unfortunately
some do not understand the ruthlessness of poverty or hunger; and while all
this is going on, trying to provide 3 meals a day, 7 times a week, every single
month, month after month -you are trying to pay your bills so you have a roof
over your families head. This is the real poverty challenge so many families
are facing today.
Are
your issues paying bills?
This is where the rubber meets
the road. Yes I know there are programs. Some are realistic, some are stupid in
their supposed design to help; when they know you are poor. Case and point, we
feel behind in our electric bills (lived in an electric house). Well I called
and asked to please help us, we are broke, my wife has cancer and my income is
a joke... Here’s what they did… Told me I only have to pay each month’s current
bill and they will finance the balance and add a minimal payment to my monthly bill…
stay with me… The average monthly bill was like $150+ the monthly charge to pay
past due was $80… so after all that my bill was still too high to pay???? And
that’s just the electric bill example... It’s that way with most utility
companies… The poor just keep getting poorer… A vicious cycle…
Are
your issues transportation? Car Maintenance? Insurance?
Issues never end when we are poor…
if you don’t have a car because you can’t afford to have one, then your stress
must be at levels I can’t even imagine. But like us “poor” with vehicles, they
too become headaches for maintenance, fuel, insurance, everything. This aspect
of poverty is horrible. We live in an area where there are no buses, no trains,
only taxis…
Solution….Prayer…
I know that sounds like, “WOW,
that’s your solution.”… Ok along with that focus on downsizing your lifestyle
to a comfortable (only what you need level). Make your life (low maintenance) it
will also help in freeing up your mind and clearing so much of your thoughts,
you’d be surprised, try it out. Even if you simply start by getting rid of 5
things a week… Then try to turn to
family and friends who want to help. Yes many will run away (you’d think it was
a marathon, all you’ll see is dust), many will not answer your cries for help
and they will avoid you and many (so many) will go silent… This will happen I
tell you this so you are not shocked as to how cold it really gets; you will
think you were trying to sell them Amway, the way everyone seems to totally disappear.
LOL and yes do all you can to keep humor in your life. Try to laugh every day.
Even if you must force yourself and have to watch some cat video on YouTube…
anything to exercise your smile muscles is a plus.
Final
Suggestion – to battle poverty…
Pray The Rosary every single day…
Join others (our groups) hint
hint…
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Come PRAY THE ROSARY with us every evening Monday through Friday
9pm EST… Our Lady’s Rosary Text Vigil Group http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/12/our-ladys-rosary-text-vigil-update.html
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
