I Promise Myself...

I got this picture from a fb friend.  I believe this encouragement came from the book and film 'The Secret'.  I haven't read the book or movie so I cannot promote it but I really like this creed/encouragment.

The only thing I would change of this creed is the last sentence to read...

"To live in the faith that God the creator of this world is on my side, ..."

Print this off, retype it and hang it up.  Encourage yourself daily and stir up the God within you.

If it's hard to read and you can't zoom in on it.  I can retype it in a blog.  I really think it's good.

A Light in the Dark Places

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matt 5:16

Where did that saying come from...They cuss like a salior?  Do all sailors curse, probably not No but they all have that stigma.  We now use this term for people with potty mouths.

"We all stumble in many ways.   If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." James 3:2

Confession: I'm not perfect--I know, I know shocker huh!

Seriously though, I do have a testimony and want to give God the praise because it was ALL Him.

I'm the new person in an office of two people of which one is part-time.  One of my co-worker's who I have to work closely with so I can provide services has a mouth out of this world.  A little soap treatment is definitely needed.

Now, cussing is not my weakness but I believe if you hear it often enough and dwell on it like anything else, it can get in your spirit and the enemy can take root. 

Now this co-worker has been there for over 9 years and here I come wanting her to change her language.  I would say things to her and ask her to please watch her mouth.  She would apologize but continue to use "hard core" curse words.  When she would say 'gd', I would always say something but reminder her about her words is a full-time job in itself. 

Her language was bothering me so much that when I wake up in the morning, I would have thoughts of curse words in my head.  It's so important to not only guard your heart but your ears.  Now I can corrupt myself, I don't need anyone to help me in that process.  I knew when I would wake up and that was occuring that it had become serious.

I didn't know what else to do and I didn't want to go over her head because that would just make the situation worse.  So God would definitely get a ear full.  I'm so glad that he can handle my venting sessions, problems and everything else I bring to him. 

Talking with some people from church, they really tried to convince me that I need to go over her head. That I should not have to work in an environment like that.  I know there are laws in place but sometimes it really is best to try and resolve in on the same playing field.  So they suggested that I get some instrumental christian cd's and play it in my office.  They even gave me a couple and to talk to my co-worker again but be more firm.

You would think as a social worker, this would be easy for me because I advocate for people everyday.  Well when it comes to myself, it's so much harder.  That assertiveness goes right out the door sometimes.   

So last Monday, I came into the office and played my cd's and thought to myself, what am I going to say, when will be a good time, how am I going to say it...My nervous were getting the best of me.  So my co-worker comes into my office and starts talking about how I'm such a good person and that I need kids because I would be a good mother and so much love to give and so on...Her demeanor was so different and I knew something was going on with her.  Later I go into her office because she needed help with something.  The she goes into out of nowhere that she doesn't cuss in front of her kids and I threw in there that I would appreciate it if you didn't cuss in front of me either.  She goes on to say that she knows she needs to watch her language and that she is a bad person and on and on...No, you are not a bad person I console her and we talk a little and back into my office I go.

Wow God!!  He just worked that situation out.  He changed her demeanor that day so she would be responsive to what needed to be done, he had her start the conversation, and he changed the atmosphere in the office.

We know God doesn't do anything little, right!  Well later on that day, it was just me and the part-time person in the office.  She yells from up front and ask what church I go to.  As I'm thinking to myself, What?  She comes back to my office and states that she needs to find a church to start going to...

Again, Wow God!  You are awesome.  Thank you for opening up doors and moving when I am weak.  There are so many times when I get tired of being the only light.  But this situation was a sign to show me that I am where I am suppose to be.  God said we must not get tired in doing good for we will see our reward if we stay steadfast.

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.