Centered

This is not a New Year resolution or even a Jerry McGuire moment.  It is just some musing I’ve been doing.

I have a number of important and close relationships that I value and treasure with a number of different folks.  Many years ago, I was having a conversation with one such brother/friend and upon ending the call he said to me, “be a blessing.”  Now, I had to call him right back to make sure I understood his suggestion.  I wanted to know if he was suggesting I’d been anything less to others (com’on you know me).  He explained that everyone is always looking for a blessing instead of seeking to be a blessing. 

I thought long and hard about our conversation and determined there was some merit to his observation.  I decided then that I too needed an epiphany statement to ground me in times of peril.  At the time, I was working for the state of Kansas in a Foster Care unit.  It is very emotionally & soul tearing, demanding work.  In that environment (like all others – smile) it is very easy to get over involved in the negative. 

I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this but, I’m very good at taking “inventory.”  So, if I go down the negative path – I go all out!  I’ve experienced burnout before and really never wanted to go back to that so I decided I needed an anchoring statement for the job. 

In the spirit of my normal outlook on life and my social work education from the University of Kansas, I determined that my work statement to be the following:  “Be About The Solution.”  And, for double digit years, this has been my professional signature line. 

But I felt I needed something more substantive to focus on in my personal life.  One day, I was studying the Word and read Ephesians 3:20; Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (KJV).  Yeah, so what?  Well, what I got out of it is this: 

GOD IS ABLE!

I’m a witness to this very true fact about the Most High.  He is so Able!  I’ve seen him move and do things in my life that are simple miracles (cause left to my own devices – it would be a real wreck – smile).  I’ve seen God move in the lives of others and in His graciousness, those stories have been shared with me and I have been blessed in the sharing. 

I’m especially blessed in that when I need a Word from the Lord the Spirit is so kind to remind me of his promises and take me to the very passage I need.  I also have some fun with my peers and fuss over the Word (I love the debate) but never forget my personal relationship with God is more important than all else. 

So here I am again – needing professional peace.  I’m blessed, I have a job and I’m able to live indoors one more month.  However, the joy I once imagined having in my current position doesn’t exist.  There are so many demands (most of which have nothing to do with the real day job – if you know what I mean; and while we’re talking, I’m not exactly the politically correct type – which I’m sure also adds to this misery- I don’t know why we can’t just ask the obvious). 

I’ve punted this matter around with my professional peers and teammates.  We all have a set of beliefs about the matter and are pushing to figure out how to best manage things until our change comes (“Holding On” is another one of my stand by comments on rough days – in reference to Job [14:14] waiting for his change to come). 

Over the years, the solutions have not always been what I thought they would be.  Over the years, God has definitely shown up and shown out on my behalf far exceeding my sad little imagination (I will never forget standing on the beach of the ocean in December; warm water brushing my feet as I stared out into the vastness of God’s body of water realizing my crafts suck in comparison to what God can do). 

I’ve never considered myself to be a good victim.  As this year passed into the next, I’ve determined that I have a few more areas to grow in and that I want to approach these areas in a healthy and aggressive manner.

I recently had a lovely meal with my mentor/teacher (The Healer).  During the course of the conversation I found another way to focus on my work quandary; 

“The real key is keeping the client at the center of the process.”

This seems obvious but like most everything there are allegiances that must be honored and at times the lines can be blurred.  Pressures can be brought to bear to sway matters from the center of where they need to be. For a good while, I felt that I had done a good job of running interference so the team could complete the real task at hand (I, felt & good job being relative – smile).  But I got caught up in taking inventory especially as the particles of the inventory have gotten in the way of me doing what I believe is my job. 

Our team has done an incredible amount of great work this year and passed a critical accreditation process (gaining all possible points); we’ve processed and offered services to a great number of Families (God has blessed this program and expanded it to meet the needs of the community); we’ve held hands and defended powerless victims of child abuse/neglect and spouse abuse; and we’ve offered hundreds of child abuse/neglect and spouse abuse education in an attempt to bring awareness to the community so the impact of such behaviors (that include death in some cases) can be avoided and Soldiers and their Families can grow in a healthy way.   We’ve supported Families that have special needs (educational, physical and mental wellness) with the minimum of staffing and that program passed two critical audits this year. 

I often encourage others in my realm to do timelines of what’s been happening in their lives when the load gets heavy.  I often utilize my own advice and determined that in the last 9 months, I’ve “lost” 7 staff members that have been with the program for years.  I’ve gained new staff but it takes time to gel as a team.  Before it is all said and done, more will leave because of the economic reality of contract work.  Our programs have and will change just due to the changes in staff.  I’m not saying this is a bad thing (yes, I am) but it is D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-T and will require some adjustments.   

Of course, I will kick this focus around with my teammates as we face the changes the New Year brings us and we will press forward in our service to Soldiers and their Families. Some kind of way, we must keep this focus versus being pulled and pushed by every wind trying to blow us off course!   (But team, I’m telling you now – I will still be telling the whole truth to our clients.  I believe that a portion of our work is to help them grow up.  I just keep thinking, “if this were my child….”)   

I’m sure my resolve will weaken from day to day; hour to hour; minute to minute but I will keep you updated on our venture.

In the mean time, I’m guessing you have some things you must face in the upcoming months.  Perhaps it is some stuff you’ve put off for a long period of time or maybe it is something new that is testing your ability to endure and press through it.  I would like to challenge you to create an epiphany statement and I would very much so enjoy hearing your motto if you care to share with me.  Don’t forget…

GOD IS ABLE!