Revvv
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- Joined
- Jun 7, 2006
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- 1,721
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I'm not looking for sympathy. I'm just whining and blowing off some steam. This board has been there for me in more ways than it will ever know. I just feel like venting. Maybe someone here is going through something similar and this post will let them know that they are not alone.
6 -7 months ago the Church I was serving (Senior Pastor) closed the doors due to financial issues in regard to the economic turndown that most of the Country has experienced. Most of my members recieved a cut in salary due to a loss of hours. Others were layed off. The Church was fairly new, and there wasn't much set aside for emergencies.
I have applied to countless jobs only to be rejected for who knows what. Many of the businesses that I applied for have experienced lay offs. This was shortly after ads looking for new employees. I have a college degree. I am attending school again now. I have applied to work at Lowes, Home Depot, Wal Mart, ect. and none of these places have so much as called me back. I have called them only to have them tell me that they are swamped with applicants, and that I will be notified if I meet the requirements. I have applied all over the Country. Those that call me from out of town and out of State are reluctant to move past a phone interview because of distance.
I've never been fired, I have always turned up the best results, and I am regarded as a good employee. When I go to work, I work. I do what I am paid to do, and more. To apply for jobs and not get any replies is a huge insult to me (as I am sure it is to many others). This isn't a claim I make on my own. My previous employers are glad to give a reference.
This month I have had to borrow money to keep the power on, my mobile phones have been disconnected, my satellite was turned off, and I have a water bill due. My mortgage hasn't been paid in months, and has been reworked twice. It's likely in forclosure as I type. My home phone is plagued with bill collectors threatening all sorts of things that will do them no good. I would gladly pay my bills if I had the money to do so. For the first time in my life I am considering bankruptcy. However, I can't do this because I can't afford a lawyer. My truck is low on fuel, and..... I could go on and on, but there's no need.
Guess what inspired this rant? A phone call from a collector that refuses to cooperate. I guess they have the knowledge and ability to squeeze money from nowhere. I just wish they would tell me the secret. I'm not running from my debts, but I have no answers. Unemployed people are concerned with feeding their family and keeping the lights on. We are not concerned with overdue credit card bills, past due phone bills, and other bills that were aquired as a luxury.
Before you ask; no, I don't have any form of government assistance. Not because pride stops me, but because I was self employed. Nothing exists for those that were small business owners (and yet GM, Chrysler, and every bank in existence is given a handout). GrudgeBike.com and all of its accounts are now history.
I sold my bike to pay bills. I sold my trailer. I have sold music equipment. I have sold everything of value that I can do without.
The reason I haven't been around as much as I normally had is because it breaks my heart to look at other bikes. It reminds me of my failures and hardships. Maybe that's a lousy excuse, but it's the truth. I want to be riding so bad that it hurts.
I know that things will get better. Like I said in the beginning of this rant, I just want other people to know that they are not alone. In the midst of it all, you have to keep your head up, look forward, and be positive. I wish I had an answer. I wish I knew how to stop the bill collectors calls, letters, and threats. I wish I knew how to maintain money for the essentials, but I don't have any answers. I just know that things will get better. I refuse to give up.
I'm not looking for a hand out. I'm not asking, or hinting at the thought. The only thing I will ask is that you let me know about any work that I would be able to apply for.
Yes, I am a pastor. My education is mostly in Theology. Most of my work experience is in leading Churches. I have been looking for regular work until recently. I am now looking at pastoring again. Not out of necessity, but because it's what I am called to do. Until I find a Church I will gladly work a regular job.
Again, keep your head up. Stay positive. Things will get better. This is coming from someone that is at the bottom of the barrel.
6 -7 months ago the Church I was serving (Senior Pastor) closed the doors due to financial issues in regard to the economic turndown that most of the Country has experienced. Most of my members recieved a cut in salary due to a loss of hours. Others were layed off. The Church was fairly new, and there wasn't much set aside for emergencies.
I have applied to countless jobs only to be rejected for who knows what. Many of the businesses that I applied for have experienced lay offs. This was shortly after ads looking for new employees. I have a college degree. I am attending school again now. I have applied to work at Lowes, Home Depot, Wal Mart, ect. and none of these places have so much as called me back. I have called them only to have them tell me that they are swamped with applicants, and that I will be notified if I meet the requirements. I have applied all over the Country. Those that call me from out of town and out of State are reluctant to move past a phone interview because of distance.
I've never been fired, I have always turned up the best results, and I am regarded as a good employee. When I go to work, I work. I do what I am paid to do, and more. To apply for jobs and not get any replies is a huge insult to me (as I am sure it is to many others). This isn't a claim I make on my own. My previous employers are glad to give a reference.
This month I have had to borrow money to keep the power on, my mobile phones have been disconnected, my satellite was turned off, and I have a water bill due. My mortgage hasn't been paid in months, and has been reworked twice. It's likely in forclosure as I type. My home phone is plagued with bill collectors threatening all sorts of things that will do them no good. I would gladly pay my bills if I had the money to do so. For the first time in my life I am considering bankruptcy. However, I can't do this because I can't afford a lawyer. My truck is low on fuel, and..... I could go on and on, but there's no need.
Guess what inspired this rant? A phone call from a collector that refuses to cooperate. I guess they have the knowledge and ability to squeeze money from nowhere. I just wish they would tell me the secret. I'm not running from my debts, but I have no answers. Unemployed people are concerned with feeding their family and keeping the lights on. We are not concerned with overdue credit card bills, past due phone bills, and other bills that were aquired as a luxury.
Before you ask; no, I don't have any form of government assistance. Not because pride stops me, but because I was self employed. Nothing exists for those that were small business owners (and yet GM, Chrysler, and every bank in existence is given a handout). GrudgeBike.com and all of its accounts are now history.
I sold my bike to pay bills. I sold my trailer. I have sold music equipment. I have sold everything of value that I can do without.
The reason I haven't been around as much as I normally had is because it breaks my heart to look at other bikes. It reminds me of my failures and hardships. Maybe that's a lousy excuse, but it's the truth. I want to be riding so bad that it hurts.
I know that things will get better. Like I said in the beginning of this rant, I just want other people to know that they are not alone. In the midst of it all, you have to keep your head up, look forward, and be positive. I wish I had an answer. I wish I knew how to stop the bill collectors calls, letters, and threats. I wish I knew how to maintain money for the essentials, but I don't have any answers. I just know that things will get better. I refuse to give up.
I'm not looking for a hand out. I'm not asking, or hinting at the thought. The only thing I will ask is that you let me know about any work that I would be able to apply for.
Yes, I am a pastor. My education is mostly in Theology. Most of my work experience is in leading Churches. I have been looking for regular work until recently. I am now looking at pastoring again. Not out of necessity, but because it's what I am called to do. Until I find a Church I will gladly work a regular job.
Again, keep your head up. Stay positive. Things will get better. This is coming from someone that is at the bottom of the barrel.
