The most wonderful time of the year can feel like the most dreaded time of year for the thousands of families who have been hit by the storm of the recession—lost wages, lower wages and in many instances no wages at all. In fact, many families affected by the recession would rather "hop scotch" over this holiday season.

Truly that storm hit the Austell-Mableton communities, with over 7,000 homes damaged in the infamous flood of 2009, the Closing of the Home Depot Clearance Center in January of this year, the "consolidation" of Caraustar Industries in June of 2009 and the forthcoming closing of the National Envelope Plant. The community has felt an enormous chasm of hurt and despondency.

The closing of the National Envelope Plant, which has been on Humphries Hill road since the mid-1970's and a stable source of income for generations in the Austell-Mableton community, is especially troubling. These kinds of realities can stalemate hope and shatter what people hold to be "security."   

However, as things "recess" we must "refresh" or redefine what true security is. If we look beyond "the cover" of the recession, we will see a very priceless unwrapped gift nestled and deeply rooted in the simple things of life—the things that living a life of affluence, busyness and career mindedness could never see or even experience.

Why? Because when we have money, we plan our enjoyment and happiness upon what we can afford. In fact, money, which is able to buy things, subconsciously becomes the thing upon which we build our foundation of happiness. We book flights, buy expensive electronics, eat out, go to the movies, take elaborate trips, buy "memberships" and we just move, go,  and buy, thereby, spending the least amount of time  at home with our family. But when the money is minimal, or gone, we find ourselves doing simple things with our family that we never thought of doing before, or saw as less important. We even find ourselves doing simple things that we used to enjoy—before we had money, a job or a career.  

Remarkably, the Recession has brought a sense of refreshing to the American family. It has catapulted families back to the simple things of life — things that cement relationship, love and affection.  Families are watching movies at home again, taking walks in the park together, playing sports with their children, attending their children's events in and out of school, cooking meals together, taking road trips in lieu of plane trips, visiting camp sites, nature trails, park reserves and natural habitats in their communities.

Families are even harnessing their assets by sharing the cost of planned events with other family members. Moreover, people are discovering their own intrinsic value and gifts—looking within themselves and rediscovering what true security is. Like a spiritual epiphany, people are finding new avenues of wealth in redefining what wealth is. In doing so, people are utilizing their natural gifts—gifts that have been suffocated in their career or job demands. There is a refreshing adage, "your gifts will make room for you."

 In fact, according to Georgia Entrepreneur & Small Business Quickfacts, "entrepreneurs are responsible for 67% of inventions & 95% of radical innovations since WW II, and that Georgia continues to rank in the Top 10 for Entrepreneurship and has led the nation over the last decade for having the largest positive change in entrepreneurial activity." 

So, this holiday season, Austell-Mableton, unwrap the precious gift of "the simple things."  Begin by harnessing your own personal assets, or entrepreneurial savvy, as a means to generate income for your family and enjoy the security and wealth of love, time, intimacy, family, and relationships-- priceless costs that will never recess, but always refresh .

Melanie Nunnally is a pastor, mentor and pilot instructor for teens.