It's been since August, so I have a lot to say, but no time or energy to say it. I find I'm in such a funk lately that maybe it will be helpful to remind myself that I have some good stuff going on. Since I started this particular blog on Thanksgiving and never posted it, I thought I would post it and add to it in small portions. I can't promise that I'll be very faithful to adding more, but I'll try...In no particular order...
Reason #1 I am thankful: I finally have a job I love.
Ever since I decided to be a social worker, I have had a bazillion jobs. I have done case management with families living in poverty; facilitated half a million boys groups, girls' groups, and leadership groups; taught parenting classes; done telephone counseling at a crisis line; managed a mentoring program; supervised Masters in Social Work Interns; done individual and family therapy in schools; taught classes to kids involved in the juvenile justice system; cofacilitated classes for families who want to adopt children with special needs, not to mention donating plasma, cleaning houses, and doing filing at a bank on the side. All of this has been just in the last 4 years, and usually I've had between 3-4 jobs at a time in order to make ends meet. So now I have had one job since August, and it's the perfect combination of all of the skills I've gained in all my many jobs the last few years. In fact, I wouldn't have been qualified for this job if it hadn't been for every one of those crappy jobs. There are stressful days, and I can still find plenty of reasons to whine and complain about work, but ultimately I am grateful to be the Mental Health Coordinator for Portland Public Schools.
Reason #2 I am thankful: I am part of an amazing church.
I have been going to church off and on most of my life, but pretty steadily since junior high. With a home life that was somewhat unpredictable growing up, going to church became a safe haven for me. It was the one place I could find inner peace and comfort. It was consistent, predictable, and full of amazing and supportive people. My faith and hope in something bigger than me, mixed with some amazing mentors, kept me going during my saddest times. I have been so fortunate to find decent churches to be a part of, as there are MANY that I have visited and I've been apalled by what I've seen and heard. I've often been ashamed to label myself a "Christian" because, for much of the world, it's a label that represents bigotry, judgement, oppression, and closed-mindedness. Rightfully so, as there are plenty of "Christians" who perpetuate this reputation, and many who cause me to hesitate any time there is an opportunity to express the importance of my faith to people in my life. While I've met some amazing people in my church experiences, I've also met a lot that I don't want to be associated with. Most often I shudder when people ask me if I'm a "Christian" because I don't like the box it puts me in. A couple of years ago, I found Vibrant, and when the pastor dropped the f-bomb over coffee, I knew it was the place for me. It's a community of people who are striving for authenticity, serving the community near and abroad, advocating for social justice, engaging in difficult conversations about faith, loving their neighbors and debunking the myths people have about Christians. While it's not perfect, it's a community I never knew could exist, and I'm honored to be a part of it.
Reason #3 I am thankful: I am healthy.
Health is one of those things that many of us take for granted every day. I have my fair share of aches and pains, and I am nowhere close to the physical shape I want to be in, but for the most part I am healthy enough to live the life I want to live. For that, I am grateful.
More to come...