PHYSICAL PILLAR- CHAPTER TWO

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                                                                THE PILLAR OF THE PHYSICAL

               It has been written, “Material Well-Being is like the soil for human flourishing. It’s the ground from which other forms of well-being, like emotional or social health (Spiritual), can sprout and grow”.

              This pillar sets the groundwork from which one can reach and connect with that larger than oneself, the way through that Valley of Death.

               Difficult, it is, to be materially secure when fighting to meet financial demands, endless rising prices for food, housing, utilities and medical care.     

               Difficult, it is, to be healthy when health care is elusive due to high cost and insurance issues.

               Difficult, it, to be happy, emotionally and spiritually strong, when materially insecure.      

               Necessary for this Pillar of the Physical is possession of an adequate and meaningful job. How Americans work addresses issues of housing, physical, mental health, and community issues.

               When you purchase your hamburger at McDonalds realize the person selling you that hamburger represents the face of the American worker. 

               The people before you come from households where the average monthly housing expenses totaling $6.0809.00 are to be paid from an average monthly income before taxes of $5,250.00.

               Credit card usage has become a standard part of financial management. Workers use credit cards to pay day-to-day expenses, for unexpected expenses and everything in between, to cover basic needs. 

               12% of American workers have enough savings for two months expenses. Out of necessity, workers seek a second job, sometimes a third job, to make ends meet pushing retirement back.

               Difficult it is to see meaning in such a world.

              The liberals, ostensibly the conservatives, and the church believe in a duty to exercise charity for the poor, the orphan, the widow, but fail to remove these people from their plight because their plight is not poverty, it is being as fodder to feed the wealthy. 

               A faith mandating such charity is found in action, in conduct, to end this way of existence. A true shepherd cares for his sheep by setting up his sheep to live in prosperity and joy.