Working with some people can be rather difficult. Its the personality differences that can be like a pebble in the shoe. Little things are made into big things or negative things. When you work on a smaller team, those differences are noticed even faster...this has been confirmed to me at a few different places I've worked.
Regardless if the person has a relationship with God or not, I try to be a kind, gracious person who shows the love of Christ. Usually I can handle the complaints well, trying to show a positive spin on the negative perspectives or graciously listen to what is said. However I am not perfect and usually after a cyclical amount of time, I get to a "breaking point." I get to the point where I feel snappy, short-fused, and desperate for coffee breaks away from anyone. At these moments, I know I need a vacation or at least a weekend. Two days away from normality for me to refresh and rest so that I can be a better person upon my return.
The song below reminds me to love. It also reminds me that "loving me the way I am" is no small thing either...I too am far from perfect.
"Loving a person just the way they are
it's no small thing
It takes some time to see things through
Sometimes things change
sometimes we're waiting
We need grace either way
Hold on to me I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through
There's a lot of pain in reaching out and trying
It's a vulnerable place to be
Love and pride can't occupy the same spaces baby
Only one makes you free
Hold on to me I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through
If we go looking for offense
We're going to find it
If we go looking for real love
We're going to find it"
By Sara Groves and Gordon Kennedy
Friday, January 30
Wednesday, January 28
My Car is Going to the Shop
I own a 2000 Ford Focus. I've had this particular car since August, 2006, I believe. This is my 2nd Ford Focus (the first one I owned was before Germany). All cars have their own quirks but after owning two Ford Focuses, I will never own another. They are not bad cars...I'm just tired of "dealing" with the Focus' quirks.
About a year after purchasing my current car I noticed one day that my speedometer dropped down to zero while I was driving. Nothing happened to my car...I continued driving...and eventually the speedometer popped back up to where it should be. This has been happening ever since. The time between drops and for lengths of drops is quite random. I've lived with this for a year approximately.
Last November I finally decided to take it to a Ford shop to get them to fix it. However, I was concerned when, upon describing my car's problem to the service man, I was told "they've never heard of this happening before!" Oh good! It pretty much became a guessing game then. When they connected the car's computer to their diagnostics thing, it shows sporadic bursts of loss of power. The recommended solution was to clean all the cables in the car. $400 dollars later my car was in no better shape. The next recommended solution was to replace the battery, which I did (at a cheaper place)...still the problem continues.
A few weeks ago, to my joy and delight, I was talking with a friend about my car woes and he told me that he owned a Ford Focus that acted in very similar ways....yay, I wasn't alone! So I went online and found what I needed...a page that explains "common Ford Focus problems" and solutions on how to fix them.
Tonight I'm taking my car into the Ford shop (again!) and this time I'm taking that stinkin' piece of paper I printed up with ideas on how they can fix my silly car! Hopefully this will be the end of the speedometer saga.
About a year after purchasing my current car I noticed one day that my speedometer dropped down to zero while I was driving. Nothing happened to my car...I continued driving...and eventually the speedometer popped back up to where it should be. This has been happening ever since. The time between drops and for lengths of drops is quite random. I've lived with this for a year approximately.
Last November I finally decided to take it to a Ford shop to get them to fix it. However, I was concerned when, upon describing my car's problem to the service man, I was told "they've never heard of this happening before!" Oh good! It pretty much became a guessing game then. When they connected the car's computer to their diagnostics thing, it shows sporadic bursts of loss of power. The recommended solution was to clean all the cables in the car. $400 dollars later my car was in no better shape. The next recommended solution was to replace the battery, which I did (at a cheaper place)...still the problem continues.
A few weeks ago, to my joy and delight, I was talking with a friend about my car woes and he told me that he owned a Ford Focus that acted in very similar ways....yay, I wasn't alone! So I went online and found what I needed...a page that explains "common Ford Focus problems" and solutions on how to fix them.
Tonight I'm taking my car into the Ford shop (again!) and this time I'm taking that stinkin' piece of paper I printed up with ideas on how they can fix my silly car! Hopefully this will be the end of the speedometer saga.
Friday, January 23
A Little Bit of Grace
Yesterday and today have found me extremely frustrated at work. I seem to have a handful of "emergency" situations and find myself with my hands tied, so to speak, by waiting on others to return emails and phone calls. I work in the food industry, which has been a good job but is definitely not where I am called long-term. So, in the midst of my frustration, I keep thinking, "If only I was in ministry...and not here." As if by being in a different job, the job I'm heading towards, I'd be free of frustrations or would be better able to handle them.
It dawned on my just a moment ago that I am called here to the food industry. God has me in this job for His timing and purpose. Yes, this may not be a life-changing eternal-impacting type of job but I am here nonetheless and have the opportunity to touch many people lives by the way I interact with them.
I just need to show others a bit of grace, understanding that I don't know what is going on at their work and they need support, not condemnation or judgment. God has shown me oodles of grace that I did not deserve, even now when I'm slightly cranky.
It dawned on my just a moment ago that I am called here to the food industry. God has me in this job for His timing and purpose. Yes, this may not be a life-changing eternal-impacting type of job but I am here nonetheless and have the opportunity to touch many people lives by the way I interact with them.
I just need to show others a bit of grace, understanding that I don't know what is going on at their work and they need support, not condemnation or judgment. God has shown me oodles of grace that I did not deserve, even now when I'm slightly cranky.
Tuesday, January 20
Family
From 2004 to 2006, I had the privilege of serving in Germany, at a boarding school, as a Missionary Associate, with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (www.cmalliance.org). My time there was probably the best two years of my life in terms of ministry and relationships and the hardest two years of my life in terms of growth and relationships. I've discovered that when you begin to serve within a denomination (assuming that similar experiences happen in other denominations), the world becomes smaller, especially when serving overseas. You build connections with people which lead to connections with more people. It's a pretty amazing thing to be a part of. In seconds, strangers can become friends...you have other friends in common along with a life focus to serve in ministry.
This week is missions week at my church. One week every year, my church has about 3 missionaries join us for a week of activities. I have loved this week ever since I started my church about 20 years ago. The stories and lives of the missionaries has always captivated me, making me yearn with possibilities. This year, one of the couples we are blessed with is a couple serving in Bosnia Herzegovina. In the C&MA, Bosnia is part of the Balkan field, which includes Macedonia and Kosovo. Because of my time in Germany, I know four families that serve in the Balkan field, friends and co-workers of the couple now at my church. It is such a blessing to be able to talk about some of my kids/families, with someone who knows them! It has made me miss my kids terribly but also has been sweet just to think and remember them!
This week is missions week at my church. One week every year, my church has about 3 missionaries join us for a week of activities. I have loved this week ever since I started my church about 20 years ago. The stories and lives of the missionaries has always captivated me, making me yearn with possibilities. This year, one of the couples we are blessed with is a couple serving in Bosnia Herzegovina. In the C&MA, Bosnia is part of the Balkan field, which includes Macedonia and Kosovo. Because of my time in Germany, I know four families that serve in the Balkan field, friends and co-workers of the couple now at my church. It is such a blessing to be able to talk about some of my kids/families, with someone who knows them! It has made me miss my kids terribly but also has been sweet just to think and remember them!
Friday, January 16
No Sweeter Name
The following song has been playing over and over in my head the last couple days as I have been feeling heavy-hearted and tired. Christ has encouraged me through little blessings, like last night when an extra activity was cancelled from my schedule! The Lord is taking care of me and I'm thankful for the reminder.
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus, no sweeter name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus, no sweeter name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus
You are the life to my heart and my soul
You are the light to the darkness around me
You are the hope to the hopeless and broken
You are the only truth and the way
by Kari Jobe
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus, no sweeter name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus, no sweeter name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the Name of Jesus
You are the life to my heart and my soul
You are the light to the darkness around me
You are the hope to the hopeless and broken
You are the only truth and the way
by Kari Jobe
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