Passion Unscripted

I think I'm a pretty passionate person. Maybe not overtly so, at least not right away when you meet me for the first time. But if you know me, I mean really know me, you know that God has really laid some specific things on my heart-one being this pursuit of the work God has called me to do. I call it my life's purpose.

My purpose, I think from God's perspective, has never changed. I believe that he has created me passionate about children from the beginning for a reason. My perception of it, however, has evolved greatly since college. From my perspective, living out God's will for my life, my hands, my feet, my knowledge-it's all a beautiful masterpiece, a creation if you will, of timing, events, relationships and other things I'm sure I know nothing about. And over it all is God. In all His glory. Do not misunderstand-I am no where near God. I am not close to anything he could sneeze into existence. Rather, it is his intricate plan that reflects his goodness and leaves me in awe.

Ok, enough poems, let's talk the tangible. I work in foster care. I read case after case of despicable  horrific and unspeakable things that children-babies in utero through 18-have been exposed to. I get calls of social workers trying to place 6, yes, 6 siblings all in homes at the end of the day. I see kids with terrible behavior and know that the reason they're throwing things, biting, kicking, screaming, crying, pulling out their own hair even, is because they have been exposed to things you and I never will. Or worse, they've been a part of it. They don't always just witness the domestic violence, sometimes they are the victim. I see the darkest part of the world-in my mind-when I see the child that has been changed negatively because of their circumstance. People often think adopting is all about picking out the "perfect kid" to grow their family. While I don't want to be pessimistic...that is just not reality. Fostering is no walk in the park. These kids come with issues, and some more than others. But I don't think it takes a "strong" or "perfect" family to foster. I think it takes a shift in perspective.

What if you saw it as your problem? What if together we acknowledged that our community-no matter where you live-needs to do something to protect children? How could you change the life of a child? I know this sounds like a commercial you've seen before with the terrible pictures, the flies, the tears, the unsanitary conditions...but really. What are you doing to protect children? You don't have to work for an FFA like me. You don't even have to post anything on Facebook if you don't want to. What if it was as simple as being aware of the children around you? What if you knew your child was friends with a foster child and you invited them over for dinner and got to know them? What if you looked out for those kids? What if you prayed for them? These are all very simple tasks that really don't take much effort on your part, but can make a huge difference in the life of one child.

Or...just throwing it out there...you could open your home to a child. "WOAH Andrea! Those kids have issues, behaviors, they cry and get angry! In my home?!" Why not? God has invited you into his house, and you have issues, behaviors (some WAY worse than a child's!!), you cry, you get angry...what's the difference? The difference is action to the call. Even Jesus himself came for the lowly, the poor, the prostitutes, the exiled, the sick-and I'm not talking about the flu sick, the sick as in demon possessed, blind beggars, people with disgusting skin diseases that were highly contagious! And he loved them. You know who else he loved? Children.

It's true, I'm passionate about specific things. But what would passion be if it weren't passed on? Not nearly as powerful I think. It's time to start taking a Godly perspective in what we do, and let's start with taking care of God's children.

What you have done for the least of these, you have done for me. ~Jesus

Week 1-Complete

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SO GIDDY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU BURST OUT IN A SMILE AND A MILLION DETAILS TO ANYONE WHO ASKS, "How is such and so going?"

You know, like you worked and worked on a home renovation and it's finally done and you want to invite everyone over??

Or after much sacrifice (financially and emotionally) you earned your degree??

Or your kid finally said, "mama."

Or you LOVE your job?!?!?! That's right, I said LOVE-YOUR-JOB!

Well, we've never renovated our house. I earned my degree last year, and D said mama a while ago...but today! Today I speak of my job. I. Love. My. Job.

Honestly, there is not space enough to describe my whole journey here, but I will give the one sentence synopsis: every work experience of mine has culminated to be perfectly placed in my life's journey. Each has given me unique experience that has allowed me to cultivate characteristics in myself that I value-things that innately have the potential to bloom-given the right circumstances. So those experiences have all led up to this point in time in which I've found myself employed by a company that truly was meant to be.

Let me tell you everything this organization is:

-Organized
-Competent
-Excellent
-Nurturing
-Flexible
-Incredible
-Supportive of Employees
-Fair

Even greater than the organization itself are the people that work for this company. I love my coworkers. All of them. Some more than others of course, but really?! When was the last time you liked all your coworkers without reservation?? Genuinely good people. People of integrity. I mean, these are quality people working with me.

Just like the song goes, "Put it all together and what-do-ya-get?"

An employee that has found a great fit for employment. That's what you get.

Now it's time to get personal. I feel fulfilled. I was worried that leaving D would be so hard on me I wouldn't be able to function. Well...I wish I was with him during the day no doubt, but it's so much easier to go to a job that I love. A job that I feel challenged in, and encouraged in. One that I know I will grow in. And they're organized. Did I tell you that part?! My detail-oriented nature is heel-clicking right now in case you were wondering. Every detail has been thought of. There is a written process for every thing. It's simply amazing. Eat that for dessert!

So I've finished my 5th day of employment and I'm exhausted but living out my purpose. Let me tell you, there is nothing cooler than that feeling.

How's beebee doing? He's adjusting. He's giving Grandma a run for her money during the day, that's for sure. He's an active little guy. Always pulling himself up on something, pulling down something, throwing something to hear it make a noise, reaching, grabbing, pooping like a million times a day...he's a handful, a precious handful. And he's got some great grandparents. We are so so blessed.

So life right now is incredible. I don't know that it's ever been this good before, or maybe I've never realized what good really is. But right now life is so good. Very much looking forward to what the future holds for us in this new promised land we call California :)

P.S. If you aren't my friend on FB, my new position is a Foster/Adopt Social Worker.