It's for ME

I've had this picture hanging up on my office door for the past 8 years and it really is a conversation starter.  What are your thoughts?

I used to look at this picture when talking with clients and think, I don't know.  The toilet paper could be right.  Everyone usually sides with the toilet paper until I remind them that some people clean the toilets with a toothbrush, scrub the tiles on the floor, or use as a foot scrubber (I've heard). 

This past year, work life has been rough.  People think my job is the easiest job in the world, that it's so much fun and since I'm single without kids that I have the perfect life too, with no kids or bills to hold me back.  My job partners with a for profit company to provide social service.  At my site, there are six people (3 office people and 3 maintenance) from the other company and just me from my organization. Everyday I would hear, Oh your job is so easy, you always do fun things, you wouldn't be able to do our job, it must be nice to get paid to play...The list can go on and on.  I would always rebutal but they can not see past their tunnel vision.  Beside providing assistance during the day for my adult clients, I run a after-school program and a toddler's program (starting next month).  Well alot of people think working with kids is fun but it's funny because I can't get people to help volunteer.  I won't say it's not fun but like with any job you have your ups and downs and when it's just one person providing a after-school program to 15-20 kids ages 4-17 it ca be very challenging when you have outcomes to meet, new programs you are required to create (while keeping the old one going), recruiting volunteers, mentoring kids, disciplining kids, communicating with parents (who don't want to communicate with you) and the list goes on. Working for a non profit, your job is not always guaranteed, I've been told that there may not be funding for my position after June.  I was also homeless for three months living with family as student loans wanted their money now!  I'm saying all this because there is more to someone's "job/life" than meets the eye.

I'm truly learning the meaning of the Joy of the Lord is my strength.  It's more than just happiness or being happy.  It first starts with removing the negativity out of your life.  Yes, it's hard but just try.  

This is going to be my new sign on the door

I've stopped defending my job and trying to convience "them/people" that I work just as hard or that being single is not always glamourous.  So often in life, we all go through the toothbrush/toilet paper scenerio in conversations with people.  What do you do for a living or what's going on in your life?  Oh, I do this...Oh, I do this too...I bet you don't have to do this or they got me doing this...my kids/husband this or that...It can be endless.  With the economy the way it is, it seems like it's more prevalent that we all are working harder for less pay sometimes, experiencing pay raise freeze or being laid off.  So when we vent our frustrations, we get caught up about our situations and what we have to do that sometimes we overlook other people's situation or even give God the praise for the blessings we have. 

During my Good Morning Girls bible study, we are studying the book of Ruth.  As many times as I have read this book or heard it, this was the first time I really pondered over Orpah's life.  We know Ruth's story but kindly dismissed Orpah's decision to go back home as the simple way out.  When in reality, going back home is not always as easy as one thinks.  Again we are quick to compare Ruth's and Orpah's decision to the situation they were going through when they were both called to do two different things. 

We are all called to do different things.  God has given us gifts for our appointed assignment.  What if we brushed our teeth with the toilet paper or used the toothbrush to clean our booty.  What ever we are called to do, we must do it with humility and give it 100%.  Don't worry about getting accolades from others.  God see and knows your true heart. 

You may feel like life is throwing you a bunch of lemons, well throw them up to God, he will turn them into your blessings-not lemonade.  Just know that what God has for you it is for you.  He will bring you out of any situation and you will rise above your situation.  It may seem like you have the worst job/life in the world...don't let the enemy fool you, God is bigger than our situation.

Be encouraged if you are in a situation that is not going your way or you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Thank you Lord for blessing me with a job where I can make a difference.  Thank you for being my strength when I think I can't go on.  You are my provider, comforter, and peacemaker.  I pray that I will continue to look up to you for guidance in all areas of my life.  Continue to help me to count my blessings and to see those blessings that I miss.  Thank you for loving me for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.