It’s Labor Day, a day traditionally marking the end of summer—when most kids are on vacation from school and many folks take their family vacations. But for some people, the “vacation” doesn’t end—because they don’t have jobs. They find themselves on an unwelcome, uncomfortable “vacation,” one they did not choose.
I have several friends who have been looking for work for months now. A few have been on a job search for more than a year. It’s a tough time—and very scary.
Several of my friends and ex-colleagues are too young to retire but too old to be attractive to many employers. Lots of employers think that a young person is more likely to be around longer (and will take a lower salary). And even for young people, there are tough challenges: too few jobs, too much competition, and in many cases, the crushing burden of student loans.
Today let’s remember in our prayers all those who don’t have jobs and offer to help them as we are able.
This message was adapted from a blog by Kate Sprutta Elliott. It appeared as a Women of the ELCA blog on August 29, 2011.
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