That's a Holy cop out. To me, it's like telling someone "Shit happens." It's not because God wants you to be miserable, it's that you are miserable. It's just how things are. God doesn't have a plan. You have a plan. But, plans don't ever walk in a straight line.

Existential Intellection From the Bible Belt

Damn J,

I imagine things are fustrating but you still gotta keep your head up son. You know my feelings on the whole faith thing, but in your situation this is one of those times when I wish I had it.

It's reassuring that you're doing everything you can, and things still aren't happening, that it's part of of God's plan. In someways it allows you to relax because you know there's nothing more you can do.

anyway I got no advice for you man, except doing what you gotta do, and soon you'll catch a break.

Bad Things happen Because you have to experience bad times to be thankful for the good times. If life was always Peachy then we would never be truly happy. Right now your being tested. You will come out of this a stronger person. Trust me. I know what it's like to be in your shoes. I do believe that God has some kind of master plan. Maybe the right job is going to come soon but you have not found it yet.

January 2005: My husband and I were buying a club in our area. It was the happiest time of my life. My entire life's dream has been to own a night club. I had taken all of my food and drink classes so I could get all the required certifications. I had studied for years - marketing, finance, budget, etc.
I thought my life was perfect. I had a brand new mustang, a corvette in storage (it was winter), what more could you ask for?
So we put a deposit on the bar and our relator starts putting together paperwork. In the meantime I quit my job so I could start focusing on the tasks ahead.
Suddenly I find out I'm preganat! 4 months pregnant! I didn't even like kids!
Then hubby gets his foot ran over by a high low at work. His bones are completely shattered. He needs reconstructive surgery. He is on medical leave from work. No overtime, no bonus checks, no insentive checks. Workmmans comp has a million problems and we're now going broke.
So there's no way I can be a mother and own a club. I don't want the kid to be in day care 24/7. That's no life for him. So we sacrifice the bar. Lost our deposit.
I am completely miserable. I cry all the time. Then we sell the mustang and the vet to get an SUV (grocery getter/mommy mobile). Now I'm really doind awful. On top of that I'm waaaaay pregnant. Ugh.
So I have my son in August and eventually find a new job (where I work now). Life is different but it's good. This definately was NOT my plan, but having a son changed my life for the better. Working for the man again is all right. I have lots of time to do charity work, which I guess is more important.
Who knows what the future holds. Maybe I'll have my club one day, but for now I get a soft little boy to hold, to teach and to love.

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I appreciate the support. Everyone made some points that hit home with me. I know that if I keep at it, eventually I should catch a break and things will work out even if not exactly how I planned. And I will never stop pursuing happiness, but it is frustrating. and even more frustrating when those words are all that is offered. God may have a better plan, but sometimes you need to see that plan start to form. Maybe I need to get a job pushing carts like my friend in order for things to change. except my pride wont let it happen. maybe that is the lesson here. i just want a job that pays well enough to do the things i need to do. God knows my heart. i wish he'd help me out.

No Implications intended at all;I wish you the best of luck with everything. Something will develope no doubt.
lostcowboy

Edited to remove a bunch of blathering. ;)

Good luck to you James.

i appreciate the job offer, but that is not for me. I have had shitty jobs so is not like I am above manual labor. i have been a janitor, a dishwasher, i worked at mcdonalds, a mover. my father used to make me do many chores before i could leave the house. i used to mow a 2.5 acre lawn with a walking lawn mower. i used to stack wood for 10 hours a day. whatever. the point i am trying to make is that i am not above manual labor and in fact i have done my fair share so i dont want people acting like i am sitting here waiting for a job to fall on my head.

further, i know we dont know each other and all we can go do is go on what we read, but it is not good to make assumptions about people. you're free to express your opinion, but i am equally free to say what i feel. and you do not know my story and i do not need to tell it to you in order to prove that i have "been through things" and i have persevered. and yes, i know shit happens to everyone. i am the first to say that as bad as it was, there are probably a million people with lives worse than mine. if you go back and read some of my earlier blogs you will see that. i know what my goals are and i work on them on a daily basis.

Alot of this comment was in response to comments made by Intricate Girl, which have since been removed so don't think I am a Nut. Well at least not because of this rant.

Hey, we are always looking for dancers! You'd just have to wear a two piece bikini and high heels. They make good money! lol!

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i am glad you can make light of my trials and tribulations. Wait, how much money we talking about here?

Send me a private message. I write keyword articles for a media company that is looking for folks like yourself. I do this on the side for fun, but the potential is for an income well over $100,000 per year. This is no joke! I can make an introduction by sending you an email, which you in turn can send to the media company. There will be training involved, and payment is by paypal. This will allow you to get your feet wet and move into the thing you love doing...writing. There are sites that pay big for gambling and gaming articles:)

I know you believe in God, and I know the frustration is because nothing seems to be happening. I come at if from a different angle. "I am the Hand of God!:) We all are, if we would allow oureselves to be. There is nothing negative about the statement I just made. Being decisive and providing on-time assistance is what's its all about.

the moor

Moor. Thank you so much.

tough stuff happened with me and I'm saddled with debt..but I know that God has plans for me and a future with hope.
He says that he knows the plans he has for you and they are good and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
He also said he came to give you a more abundant life...how?
By what you put into your life. its the principle of sowing and harvesting that rules. You reap what you sow is bandied about but is so true.
Sow into God. He said seek after the kingdom of God and all its righteousness and all shall be added to you.
Give something away to someone else. Sow into another human being.
don't you know when you give more shall be given to you pressed down and shaken up and OVERFLOWING...
get empty so you can get something...

as I said..he knows your heart and its not on him..that's why he's not helping..when you get tired enough to pay him some attention you'll be shocked at the blessings flowing your way.

okay. I cannot argue any longer. I have been through some things. I have witnessed some things. I just cant argue with people anymore. You either feel what I am saying or you don't. I cannot go through my life story. Like I said before we can only know each other from what people write and that is fine. I believe Diva J is Jamaican. My girl is Jamaican and I know how dear God is to you so it is not worth the trouble. If you can tell me that sometimes people suffer so that others prosper you cannot guarantee me that something good will happen.

Anyways. I am out. Have A DRINK FOR ME FOR ME. if not I will have one for all if you.

but God is faithful. Just because you believe in God doesn't mean that life will be easy.We all live in a sinful, crummy world filled with disease, famine, poverty, corruption, etc. I am a cancer survivor, and having cancer was definitely not part of my life plan. But, God is with you all the way, not to make the way smooth, but to help you over the bumps. Best of luck to you and I hope things get better for you.

I have somethingfor you there because you do write well-- my blogcharm i mean :)

Thank you. I will check it out.

I'm not going to say people suffer so that others can prosper..I don't serve a meanie like that....but if you remember that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord..you'll just look at your current situation as a stepping stone. Its all about his glory..not ours.

I know that things we go through only make us stronger in the long run. This situation is not nearly one of the most difficult situations I have been through, but I think I was just frustrated at those words. That person always says those words to me when I am going through something difficult, but let's be honest, those words will not solve my problems. Some people probably think that if I really beive those words then in turn my problems will be solved. Understandable. But sometimes I need to see results. I know that I have snapped at people who have disagreed with me in this instance, And I apologize to everyone for that. I just felt like some people were making false assumptions about me.

And I do not mean to say the people suffer in order for others to prosper. I have been told that Sometimes people suffer so that others can prosper, which is why I threw out that the slavery example. But maybe you do not agree with that either.

okay i think you are taking me too literally. can I as you a question? why do you think that slavery existed or that millions starve. Is it possible that those people had to suffer so that I could succeed in the future? Or is it just fate that I was born in a different era?

Maybe the word suffer is to harsh. Do you think that sometimes some people have a harder time so that those that proceed them have it easier? Like your parents for instance. I am not suggesting people's backs are purposely being climbed on. As a black man born when I was I did not know about the plight of black people, however I did benefit from it.

In my opinion at least...slavery so that you could succeed? The after effects of slavery mentally and sociologically are the prevailing reason for the situation of the black community. We stultify each other to death...seemingly afraid of successs...why?Lingering effect...any successful slave was a dead or to die one.
Whites were never slaves and they were successful..so out goes the argument that for you to succeed the slaves had to suffer...
Every generation does better than the last...no suffering needed..no back climbing..its general progression...as the human experience continues knowledge garnered becomes knowledge shared becomes knowledge fully explored.
Your grandparents' experience lead to something better for your parents, led to something better for your kids..eventually. Its not back climbing. Its info sharing. We share a pitfall experience so someone else can avoid it and continue further in a shorter space of time...back climbing is more observance than share..I observe your struggle and use it to my advantage and help in your weakening to my gain...
unless you're exploiting the 'rents to get ahead...you aren't climbing on their backs...just holding unto them to get ahead.

Well I much rather worry about a hater than worry if masta gon' whoop me agin'.

I like how you present your arguments so touche.

I think you're saying that some things happen because of fate and others because you make em happen. Thats cool. Correct me if I am wrong.

I'd like to say we are masters of our own destiny...and then God pulled that rug out from under me. However, we each have a destiny. A great one. However, you have to make things happen too. God develops us through testing. What happens in the chamber and how you emerge is up to you. So I guess you are right.

i'm really enjoying this back and forth.

With my last comment I was going to just basically accept your position as a valid one and leave it alone, but if you're enjoying this, I guess we can milk it a little more.

In fact I agree completely agree with your position except for your seemingly willingness to accept that good always conquers evil. I think that even if we do the best we can, we could still fail. Or if I am the most virtuous person in the world I might still contract a disease and die a slow and painful death.

It's good to think the way you do because you always maintain a positive outlook, but I like to think that I have a more realistic point of view.

Eh...good does not always trump evil. I know that. I've known forever. Every disappointment that comes when I've done things the right or good way and seeing someone who has not done things correctly get ahead hurts.
Life isn't always fair. I know that. I'm not looking to a good reward here..but elsewhere. I just take things in stride..but this stubborn hope that good triumphs everlastingly just won't die.
Virtuous people can die ignoble deaths. That's true. But I'm not counting on my personal righteousness to save me. That's foolish.
I'm a dreamer ...but my body is right here on terra firma even if my mind is elsewhere.

Exactly...you touched on a point that I made when I wrote this. You live your life now so that you are happy when you pass. I am not so sure how I feel about an afterlife, but I try to live my life the best I can. Not necesarily according to the bible. I have yet to read the bible.

Again, I am not saying that your outlook is not a good one. It is most definitely good, but obviously slightly different from mine. We both acknowledge that good does not always conquer evil so I'll say I think I conquer all. Whether or not that is true remains to be seen.

Capitalism aggravates the problems. Marxism aims to help. Who wants it?