Sometimes Reality is Scarier Than The Giant Barn Swing Ride

Giant Barn Swing - Silver Dollar City (check out this YouTube vid showing the ride in action)

Some people enjoy being scared. And they ride the biggest, scariest rides in the park. They enjoy the feeling of falling or flying or not knowing what is going to happen next. And they even pay MONEY to scare themselves - CRAZY!

I don't like big, scary rides. At Silver Dollar City I only went on three rides that, other than the kiddie rides, were probably the mildest in the park.

Both my kids went on this ride and lived to tell about it (my dh and 2 kids are in the last 3 seats in the front on the right). "Something can be scary and fun at the same time" said the boy after he got off the ride proclaiming it the best ride ever.

If you really want a big scare, that doesn't cost anything - just check out our economy...hmmm, I better rephrase the "doesn't cost anything" part.

What Happens Next?

It's interesting to me, that while our nation is undergoing a huge financial crisis - not one of the many blogs I read (or shall I say scan - since I always tell my dh I'm not actually reading all the blogs) has talked about what is going on.

Perhaps it's because nobody wants to alienate their readers by talking politics...maybe it's because it's easier not to think/read/discuss what is going on. Sure there are blogs out there that focus on finances and the economy - maybe we figure it's best left to them - the experts - to write about.

Maybe I'm just reading the wrong blogs. Or the right blogs. I know I'd rather stick my head in the sand and ignore what is going on and hope congress comes up with a solution (today's failed) that will solve the problem real fast. I don't want to think about what all this could mean.

We are kind of in the thick of it all. My dh is a CPA and a registered financial advisor...so he reads all the right things, analyzes them, and then makes all the difficult decisions during these difficult days. He's responsible for investing other people's money and our money too...

I should add that this isn't all about super wealthy people who have invested money in the stock market like I just heard someone say on the radio. People think since they don't dabble in the stock market, that they are safe. But this all has far reaching repercussions...banks are afraid to loan money...so if you need a bank loan for a house or a car - might not happen. Small businesses might not be able to get a loan...might not be able to make payroll...might not be able to keep all their employees - so you might be out of a job.

Though none of us wants to experience hard times, an encouraging word from the Bible regarding this situation is found in Habakkuk:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength…"