Second, you can help by listening. There are so many who are out of work that getting a job is not a matter of just being willing to work. In the past, you may have looked with disfavor at someone when you found out they were not working, assuming that it was their choice, ie. that they were lazy and would be working if they really wanted to. If you meet someone these days who is unemployed, seek to encourage them.  Ask them if they have been able to put their résumé out lately, and where. If they say they have an interview scheduled, promise to pray for them. Then ask them the next time you see them how the interview went.The unemployed need to know that others care about them.

     Third, understand that in this economy, finding a job is all about networking. One of the goals of our "Career Support Ministry" is to network together in learning about job postings. One Monday, we came together and someone had heard their neighbor talk about a job opening in Rockton. One in our group went to apply, only to find out that the position had been filled already. The company did not post the job anywhere! They simply told their employees about it who then spread the word to their neighbors. In our group, the individuals try to understand the kind of work each is looking for, and if they see a posting on some website, they contact me and I pass it along quickly. First EFC Rockford also has a support group meeting and they have passed along a networking possibility to us too. If you know that someone at work is retiring, we assume the company will be filling the position. Tell us about it. If a business you do business with is expanding and hiring more workers, tell us. Look at it this way. The want ads are not the source for jobs like they used to be. So if 400 or so adults at HOPE EFC keep their ears open, that multiplies the possibilities for helping these who are looking for work to get hired. 

     Fourth, there is good news. Brenda isn't leading the group anymore, because she got a job! Nine others also no longer attend because they have either gotten a job or have gone back to school to get more training or to explore a whole new career. I asked the group and they told me that it is encouraging when they hear that someone got hired. So an empty chair around the tables is good news.

     Fifth, encourage those who are out of work to come on Monday mornings. The group is not large and overwhelming.Those who come understand the complicated process of jumping through the hoops to collect for unemployment. They understand the frustrations of submitting résumés and never hearing from the company. But the really good thing is that we keep reminding each other that God is still on the throne, and He will see each and every one of His children through. Even if a thousand apply for one job opening, if God wants a particular person to get the job, He will help it happen. We are encouraged to trust God when worry and doubt creep in. But that is the same message for all of us, whether we are working or not. 

     Abraham's servant reported back: "saying, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."  {Genesis 24:27 NIV}The servant got his orders and took off on the journey. While he was on the journey, God led him to be in the right place at the right time so that he would meet God's choice for Isaac.  We are asking you to help those who are seeking God's leading, and especially adding more eyes and ears to discover businesses that are hiring and passing that information along. Thanks in advance for helping make the journey a success.