The Working Poor

I first heard about this book when reading Larry James' blog about a monthly book club they host in Dallas. Randy Mayeux reviewed The Working Poor by David Shipler. It's subtitled, "The Invisible Poor." After reading another review of it, I knew that I needed to check it out from the library soon.

What a book! So eye-opening. In fact, I was so moved by the first chapter that I searched for a book summary of it on the web, found it and made a copy for all our volunteers who interview our neighbors that come here for help.

I know it sounds cliche, but this is such an eye-opening book. My upper-middle class upbringing and present lifestyle has blinded me to the realities that 35 million people in our country now live in poverty - and most of them work, many of them full time. Yes, too often they've been invisible to me -- though I interact with them throughout the week when I buy something at Wal-Mart or get my gas at a Fina station.

Here's one quote from a reviewer of the book:

"As David K. Shipler makes clear in this powerful, humane study, the invisible poor are engaged in the activity most respected in American ideology — hard, honest work. But their version of the American Dream is a nightmare: low-paying, dead-end jobs; the profound failure of government to improve upon decaying housing, health care, and education; the failure of families to break the patterns of child abuse and substance abuse. Shipler exposes the interlocking problems by taking us into the sorrowful, infuriating, courageous lives of the poor — white and black, Asian and Latino, citizens and immigrants. We encounter them every day, for they do jobs essential to the American economy." – From powells.com

While working out on the treadmill last night, I read Caroline's story. She is a single mother in New Hampshire who has a handicapped daughter. Going from one job to another. Making between $6.50 - 10.00 an hour. Struggling to pay money for upkeep on her house. Not wanting to declare bankruptcy but finally not seeing any other options. Being threatened by her teachers for child neglect because she leaves her child at home at night while she works the swing shift at a local Tampax factory.

I couldn't help but think of the thousands of single moms and others in Abilene who are struggling to survive like Caroline. The working poor -- trying to make a living and yet overwhelmed with health care expenses for their kids, the rising cost of gasoline and utilities (with an hourly wage that will not keep up with this dramatic inflation), and constant worries about when their old car is going to break down.

When I told Susan last night about how convicting this book is, and how I want to help out more of the working poor (both personally and in my leadership at the Service Center), she reminded me of God's deep concern for the poor. It's all over the Bible. Jesus certainly was a champion for the "down and out." He still is -- and uses His willing servants to continue His advocacy for the "bruised reeds and smoking wicks."

I'm thinking of putting at least $1,000 in our budget next year -- maybe more -- just to help out the many people who come in our doors each day needing gas money. (We'll set up an account with a nearby convenience store). And more money for bus passes and short-term housing. As a follower of Jesus, not just a believer in Him, I must be more concerned for the poor.

What could we do throughout the week, as our lives intersect with those who are literally eking out a living? Maybe the first step is to ask the Holy Spirit to raise our awareness of the needs of the working poor. To listen to His promptings as He puts people in our paths that need Jesus -- His gentle touch, His compassionate heart. And to always be willing to share financially with those that are living on the financial edge.

Many of the working poor are praying that the Lord will help them just get through this day. How we treat them may be the answer to their prayers!

Jim