And We Survive

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted last. My wife survived the layoffs at her church which brings us a certain amount of stability to our income, but my business has tanked. I've had to lay off 2 people, cut 2 more to part time, have everyone take a 5% pay cut, and I make sure everyone else gets paid before I cash my paycheck. Its depressing, having to cut the jobs of some of my people in order to save those of others. And it kills moral in the workplace.

It was easier when I could look at the macroeconomic data and say "things will start to look up 3rd quarter", but now it looks more like 4th or first of next year. Sales were awful in Dec and Jan, but I expected that. They picked up in Feb somewhat and were actually almost back to a sustainable level in March. Then April just tanked. Actually April and March will average out to what Feb was but I was hoping for an improvement in the trend lines.

I have so many quotes out now on projects that are on hold, some due to customers financing problems and some just waiting for things to turn around. A major job that was to hit in June has been put off till next year.

I know the economy is turning around, I see the numbers and how the pace of decline has slowed. I know we either are or are almost at bottom baring some new collapse. But GM and Chrysler are right on the edge, and while I have only one small job that is effected by that, it was 10% of my monthly sales for a few months there, and I REALLY need to get paid for that work.

I know the economy moves more like a big ship than a jet ski. And that when the Fed and Treasury try to change its direction it takes months to start seeing the effects. I also know that some sectors get hit harder faster while others don't see its effects till later.

I just want to know when things will start looking up for me and for my people.
I live in Michigan where 1 in 5 people are unemployed and unemployment is a lagging indicator. The number of people using the church's food pantry has more than doubled.
For us this isn't a recession, its a Depression.

I used to be really good about putting my worry in God's hands, and while I know things will get better, I don't know if I, or the people I feel responsible for, will still have jobs between now and then. All I can do is keep working, selling, praying and hope that the orders come in and the company stays afloat.