HARD TIMES

Hard times can be a good thing.

These are difficult times in the good ol' USA. There have been times in our past when things were worse - much worse, but for my generation this is the worst economic downturn our contry has faced in a lifetime. In fact, my generation (the baby-boomers & busters) started after the great depression and has enjoyed one of the most prosperous times in our country's history. We've known only good times, so that makes this "recession" feel worse to us then it does to other generations. The truth is, my generation has become quite self-centered and greedy. This is, in fact, a big part of why our country is in a recession - greed! Greed and selfishness. Sad to say, but these are two of the major characteristics of my generation. But... It doesn't have to end that way.

People are not focusing as much this year on purchasing gifts at Christmas because we don' have as much money. GOOD! That was never what Christmas was supposed to be about anyway. Remember? I think Christmas has something to do with celebrating Jesus, doesn't it?!

Perhaps this hard time is a good time. Maybe we can use it to help us get back on track - back into focus. If we don't have money to spend on presents and travel then why not use this holiday season for the really important things? Spend time with your kids. Play games together. Sit around the family table and talk and laugh and remember. Go to church. Visit the shut-ins. Invite someone over to your house. Curl-up in a blanket next to a fire with your wife. Read a good book. Sleep. Relax. Be together. Pray. Yes, hard times can be good times.

I don't know about you, but if hard times is what it takes to bring us back together as a nation and as a family then I say "Bring it on, God!"