That is what the economist keeping saying..."it is a ripple effect!" One business goes down and eventually takes another with it. I think about all the people out there that have lost their jobs and can't feed their families. They don't have a home, and really don't know what will happen from day to day. Some of them have the faith of the Lord, but some are just lost in this world. Well, the truth is, that it is a ripple effect. It has rippled right down to U.S. Motors. The plant where my husband works!! What does this mean you may ask? Well, they have said that the plant will have to probably go to 4 days a week to be able to maintain business through this terrible time. 4 days a week, not even a whole work week!! Who knows if the town of Mena can sustain this type of economic down turn. The mayor says that most of Mena is in good shape, that "tourism" keeps Mena striving. Well, tourism don't pay "my" bills!! It don't feed my children, and keep the electric on!! Though I know that we can "financially" make it, there are so many here in Mena that can't. I have to rely on the Lord that he will take care of us. Some may think "how can she think that the Lord will bring them through?"
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You see, my father-in-law owns a car business here in Mena. There have been times that no car business has been selling a single car, and my father-in-law just puts all his trust in the Lord and sells them left and right. He never questions if the Lord will be there, he just knows he will in his own time. A friend of mine sings a song on her cd that says "isn't it great when he (the Lord) is four days late, yet he is still on time." The story of Lazarus is a story that relates to this, they waited for days on Jesus. In his own time he came and rose Lazarus from the dead. I know that if I have enough faith that the Lord will take us under his wings.
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16. Rejoice evermore
17. Pray without ceasing
18. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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I know that times for our family are going to change. We will not be the only family facing hardship, and I pray that the Lord takes control and helps all of us. Mena strives on Motors, it employees over 500 of Mena's citizens. It feeds their families, and many other families. The restaurants will hurt, everything in Mena will hurt. Families can't spend what they don't have!! You begin to see the "ripple effect" taking place. People leaving for work, which means less money here. Children leaving schools which means less in our schools. More poverty and families loosing homes. In a grim picture like this, some may say there is no silver lining. I have found the silver lining. His name is Jesus Christ, the Lord our savior.....
I pray that many will turn to him and not away from him as this economic "recession" hits way to close to home. Right here in Mena!!
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Philippians 4
Therefore, brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2. I beseech Eu-o'-di-as, and beseech Syn'-ty-che, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3. And I in treat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women, which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.
5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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Through this I know that Christ takes care of those who are his faithful followers. Who knows what he has in store for my family. I will not be afraid of the things to come. Mena, will endure many hard things in the next couple of months. All I can do is pray that Motors will withstand what is happening. If it don't then I have to put my families life in the hands of the Lord our father.