I went back to work today after a two-day hiatus while I was down with strep and a staph infection. It was 'good' to be back, but it also reminds me that this job, while a blessing financially is also a HUGE drain of my energy and creativity. I just feel so 'zapped' by the end of a day.
I don't doubt that God placed me here, but I am beginning to get the urgings for something else. I don't think it's the boredom thing this time...I honestly think it's almost time for something to change in my life...something regarding vocation. Too many days I really do feel like one of the dwarf's, only I'm not singing about my work.
I'm thinking 2009 is going to be a bit more about me and what I was created to do and if that's to supervise a billing & collections department for an insurance company...I'm there...but if it's not...then I'm getting ready!
Life is too short to work somewhere longer than God intended.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Six Weeks Already?!
I can't believe six weeks have already passed. I'm headed back to work tomorrow and it feels almost like I'm starting a new job...mostly because I've forgotten a bunch of passwords and a bunch of new staff have been hired in my absence. I'm sure after one day of reading hundreds of emails it'll feel like old hat'.
All the same, please remember me in your prayers for energy and a great day!
With that off my chest I'll continue with The Last Lecture notes. One thing I started to realize as I read this short 'book' is that Pausch may not proclaim his Christianity (in an effort not to exclude others from the all encompassing message), but the roots of everything he does/did are grounded securely in the Word of Christ.
These last chapters have talked about 'the lost art of the thank you note', loyalty, telling the truth (ALWAYS), see in color (not just black and white), no job is beneath you, NEVER GIVE UP, and I've just finished a chapter about being a COMMUNITARIAN. I don't know about you but I've read about all these principles in God's Word.
I really stopped and pondered the idea of Communitarianism. Pausch talks about building a community. He reminds us in a very straightforward manner that we do have rights and with those rights come RESPONSIBILITY. Many of us like to glaze over that last part of the agreement. Children sometimes become selfish about sharing their toys. Teenagers today believe they are even more entitled than the generation before. It should come as no surprise that they are learning this from the adults.
Dr. Pausch speaks specifically about how we all want a fair trial if we were ever arrested; however, many of us try like the dickens to get out of jury duty!
The bottom line...for me, is to use my God-given gifts to serve (volunteer) and to be a productive, giving part of my community. This seems a fitting lesson in this start-up church we are attending and the great needs in serving that exist. As a matter of fact, God knew I was going to be reading these chapters because lo' and behold if the Pastor's wife didn't call and want to 'run something by' the hubs and I...what do you bet it's about an opportunity to serve?
I guess I should call her!
All the same, please remember me in your prayers for energy and a great day!
With that off my chest I'll continue with The Last Lecture notes. One thing I started to realize as I read this short 'book' is that Pausch may not proclaim his Christianity (in an effort not to exclude others from the all encompassing message), but the roots of everything he does/did are grounded securely in the Word of Christ.
These last chapters have talked about 'the lost art of the thank you note', loyalty, telling the truth (ALWAYS), see in color (not just black and white), no job is beneath you, NEVER GIVE UP, and I've just finished a chapter about being a COMMUNITARIAN. I don't know about you but I've read about all these principles in God's Word.
I really stopped and pondered the idea of Communitarianism. Pausch talks about building a community. He reminds us in a very straightforward manner that we do have rights and with those rights come RESPONSIBILITY. Many of us like to glaze over that last part of the agreement. Children sometimes become selfish about sharing their toys. Teenagers today believe they are even more entitled than the generation before. It should come as no surprise that they are learning this from the adults.
Dr. Pausch speaks specifically about how we all want a fair trial if we were ever arrested; however, many of us try like the dickens to get out of jury duty!
The bottom line...for me, is to use my God-given gifts to serve (volunteer) and to be a productive, giving part of my community. This seems a fitting lesson in this start-up church we are attending and the great needs in serving that exist. As a matter of fact, God knew I was going to be reading these chapters because lo' and behold if the Pastor's wife didn't call and want to 'run something by' the hubs and I...what do you bet it's about an opportunity to serve?
I guess I should call her!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A few days later...
Well, it's been awhile since I've posted...not TOO long...and I just thought I'd post some thoughts I had today.
Paul and I went to a "fellowship group" with the church we've visited a few times. I'm still not completely convinced its 'our' church, but we thought we had to at least go visit some groups and do more than just the Sunday morning experience.
The small group was two other couples...doesn't get much smaller than that. I was a bit surprised because the church is at around 700 people. We purposefully chose a small group that wasn't run by 20-somethings, because we aren't 20-somethings. These 40-something have clearly been together for some time. They know each other. They are friends. It didn't feel like such a great fit, but they were extremely open and inviting.
During the prayer request I shared our request for prayer about the church we are seeking and they asked point blank what it is we are looking for. I looked to Paul and while he searched for his answer I immediately blurted out: "We're looking for a church that lives the mission and vision statement it prints!"
That's when it dawned on me...we've been a part of churches and visited churches that have these incredible and sometimes elaborate mission and vision statements and a 5-fold purpose statement...but they don't necessarily live that out. Sometimes it's due to the evolution of a new or start-up church and sometimes it's timing and it's just too early to see...but sometimes it's clear...the mission and vision are in word only.
I HAVE to be a part of a church with a purpose, a church that truly reaches out...a church that above all...LOVES (like an action verb)! I NEED to be a part of a church that also includes an awesome worship experience (open to interpretation), and has respect and opportunities for ALL God's people to serve. I NEED to be a part of a church of diversity. I NEED to be a part of a church that serves.
Not so long ago I asked my husband what he thought it would be like to be a part of a church full of all the people that had left (or were asked to Leave) other churches...he just looked at me and said he wondered what it would be like to be a part of a church with 100% of the members serving in some capacity, instead of the statistically measured 10-20% of the congregants serving.
And so...we continue in our search and I feel a bit more empty each day. Some days I wonder if it really matters...and my heart says YES and my flesh just shakes its head and so far...I continue to find some reason to stay in the search.
On a more upbeat note...I see how God is using me in the lives of those staff that I supervise. Not a day goes by when one of them doesn't come to me for personal advise or even a prayer request...and so I know God can and IS using me whether I am firmly planted in a church-body or not...and that alone...right now...is enough...
Paul and I went to a "fellowship group" with the church we've visited a few times. I'm still not completely convinced its 'our' church, but we thought we had to at least go visit some groups and do more than just the Sunday morning experience.
The small group was two other couples...doesn't get much smaller than that. I was a bit surprised because the church is at around 700 people. We purposefully chose a small group that wasn't run by 20-somethings, because we aren't 20-somethings. These 40-something have clearly been together for some time. They know each other. They are friends. It didn't feel like such a great fit, but they were extremely open and inviting.
During the prayer request I shared our request for prayer about the church we are seeking and they asked point blank what it is we are looking for. I looked to Paul and while he searched for his answer I immediately blurted out: "We're looking for a church that lives the mission and vision statement it prints!"
That's when it dawned on me...we've been a part of churches and visited churches that have these incredible and sometimes elaborate mission and vision statements and a 5-fold purpose statement...but they don't necessarily live that out. Sometimes it's due to the evolution of a new or start-up church and sometimes it's timing and it's just too early to see...but sometimes it's clear...the mission and vision are in word only.
I HAVE to be a part of a church with a purpose, a church that truly reaches out...a church that above all...LOVES (like an action verb)! I NEED to be a part of a church that also includes an awesome worship experience (open to interpretation), and has respect and opportunities for ALL God's people to serve. I NEED to be a part of a church of diversity. I NEED to be a part of a church that serves.
Not so long ago I asked my husband what he thought it would be like to be a part of a church full of all the people that had left (or were asked to Leave) other churches...he just looked at me and said he wondered what it would be like to be a part of a church with 100% of the members serving in some capacity, instead of the statistically measured 10-20% of the congregants serving.
And so...we continue in our search and I feel a bit more empty each day. Some days I wonder if it really matters...and my heart says YES and my flesh just shakes its head and so far...I continue to find some reason to stay in the search.
On a more upbeat note...I see how God is using me in the lives of those staff that I supervise. Not a day goes by when one of them doesn't come to me for personal advise or even a prayer request...and so I know God can and IS using me whether I am firmly planted in a church-body or not...and that alone...right now...is enough...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Normal Day
February 19, 2007 "Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow." Source Unknown
February 20, 2007 "Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could...Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays."
I read these as I updated my calender of "Inspirational Quotes" and I decided to do my own 'In Other Words' because these quotes just spoke to me.
All too often I am praying 'Lord, let this day go fast!' Or in anticipation of some big event or vacation I'll pray that God would 'let that day come fast!' If I am enduring some uncomfortable or even painful event I'll pray that God would 'just get me through today!'
I struggle just keeping myself grounded in today's today! I struggle accepting that today, the everyday, common, sometimes a bit frustrating or long-lasting today would move on out and make room for hope-filled, inspiring, sun-shiny TOMORROW!
For me it's hardest when anticipating a vacation or an event long-term and struggling not to rush through the days prior to the "Big Events". There is another time when it 'hits me'. It's at my new job.
Each day at my new job has such a huge learning curve. I feel so inadequate much of the time. I feel overwhelmed and unprepared. I don't doubt that I can and WILL learn this job, I just get frustrated that I have so many questions every single day. I try to think about the many questions i have asked AND answered over my years in the workforce and sometimes that helps.
Tuesday was a hard day. It was one full of self-doubt and uncertainty. I came back to work after the long weekend, full of anticipation and such sheer joy...then as I began working on one program I'm really not comfortable with yet, the doubt set in. I felt completely "LOST" in the midst of a meeting I attended as well, not understanding over half of what they were discussing.
I could almost audibly hear the enemy telling me how stupid I was. He was telling me I didn't deserve this job and I would most certainly "mess it up".
So yesterday I flipped the calender again and here is what I found:
February 21, 2007 "God has always used ordinary people to carry out His extraordinary mission."
And I'm holding on to that promise as I face each new day, taking from yesterday only the lessons that I need for today and letting go of the emotion and the 'yucky stuff'.
Lord, be with me today as I set out to learn more. Help me not be discouraged if I don't know everything I need to know today. Help me ask the questions I have without fear. Help me accept redirection and training with a humble, willing heart. Help me be helpful to others and patient and kind as I interact with others. Help me remember this training. And Lord...use me to carry out YOUR work...every day!
February 20, 2007 "Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could...Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays."
I read these as I updated my calender of "Inspirational Quotes" and I decided to do my own 'In Other Words' because these quotes just spoke to me.
All too often I am praying 'Lord, let this day go fast!' Or in anticipation of some big event or vacation I'll pray that God would 'let that day come fast!' If I am enduring some uncomfortable or even painful event I'll pray that God would 'just get me through today!'
I struggle just keeping myself grounded in today's today! I struggle accepting that today, the everyday, common, sometimes a bit frustrating or long-lasting today would move on out and make room for hope-filled, inspiring, sun-shiny TOMORROW!
For me it's hardest when anticipating a vacation or an event long-term and struggling not to rush through the days prior to the "Big Events". There is another time when it 'hits me'. It's at my new job.
Each day at my new job has such a huge learning curve. I feel so inadequate much of the time. I feel overwhelmed and unprepared. I don't doubt that I can and WILL learn this job, I just get frustrated that I have so many questions every single day. I try to think about the many questions i have asked AND answered over my years in the workforce and sometimes that helps.
Tuesday was a hard day. It was one full of self-doubt and uncertainty. I came back to work after the long weekend, full of anticipation and such sheer joy...then as I began working on one program I'm really not comfortable with yet, the doubt set in. I felt completely "LOST" in the midst of a meeting I attended as well, not understanding over half of what they were discussing.
I could almost audibly hear the enemy telling me how stupid I was. He was telling me I didn't deserve this job and I would most certainly "mess it up".
So yesterday I flipped the calender again and here is what I found:
February 21, 2007 "God has always used ordinary people to carry out His extraordinary mission."
And I'm holding on to that promise as I face each new day, taking from yesterday only the lessons that I need for today and letting go of the emotion and the 'yucky stuff'.
Lord, be with me today as I set out to learn more. Help me not be discouraged if I don't know everything I need to know today. Help me ask the questions I have without fear. Help me accept redirection and training with a humble, willing heart. Help me be helpful to others and patient and kind as I interact with others. Help me remember this training. And Lord...use me to carry out YOUR work...every day!
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