Friday, January 14, 2011

Lessons From the Edge

Stop a minute, and listen.

OK, friends. I won't lie. I love my job.
I just hate working.
I'm having a very hard time trying to balance my time and responsibilities; trying to determine what's important and what I need to let go; trying to accept that I.cannot.do.everything.
Many people who've 'been here' tell me it takes time. I'll adjust. Everyone will adjust. And we'll all be better for it in the long run. And I'm sure that's true. But...
But sometimes I find myself wondering if it would be better for me to quit. I feel like I'm not 'good enough' to be a mom, wife, homemaker AND employee. (Who am I trying to kid? I know I am not good enough to be any single one of those things! So glad the grace of God is ENOUGH!)

Well, I had one of my bad days Sunday (read that: I was on the edge of tears all day) and when I went into work Monday, my eyes were kinda puffy and I was tired. To say I was doubting myself would be an understatement. But as I was walking around the building, God got my attention.
I saw G (another one of my favorite residents) and stopped to say 'Hello'. She gave me an update on her granddaughter, for whom we have been praying, and then she went on to tell me how glad she is that I'm working at Edgewood. She said she loves the Bible study we do. She said a bunch more things, which I won't repeat at the risk of sounding like I'm bragging. The point is - as I stood there holding G's hand, hearing her say all these wonderful, encouraging words - I had to look to heaven and ask God if He was speaking to me through that dear woman.

I believe HE was. I believe God was confirming to me that HE brought me to Edgewood. HE is working through me there. HE has a perfect plan, and this circumstance is part of it. And in the midst of all that, God convinced me again - HE is going to help me through the struggle. I am going to see HIS perfect faithfulness, if I simply trust, obey, and surrender to HIM.

Oh, what wonderful things we hear when we stop a minute, and listen.

Karen

6 comments:

TheUnSoccerMom said...

AMEN! :o)

And once again, He is speaking through you to me. I needed this. Thank you!


G sounds like she knows quality when she sees it. :o)

Patricia said...

The way in which HE works through others to speak to us is always mind-blowing to me!! Kind of like how HE works through you to speak to me on many, many occasions! :)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, Karen!!

Heidi said...

"Trust and obey and surrender to Him..." Couldn't have said it better, myself. *big grin* I know what you mean about those feelings- have lived them out at various times and not so long ago either. I feel the same way about my volunteer job helping kids with their homework- I don't necessarily look forward to trying to remember what the domain and range of paired numbers are...etc., BUT those kids need someone to tell the stories of their day to and that person- is me! So, I say, "yes, Lord".
Much love!!

Sara K. said...

Ugh! Those "bad days" are icky!! I shall say it again -- UGH! How wonderful that God sent you such a sweet "I love you" through G's words! I would have totally bawled. :) He is so good!

Karen Hossink said...

Jodi - :o) Love it when HE speaks like that!
G is a blessing to me. I thank God for her!

Patricia - Yes. And if we're listening, we won't miss it! That's the thing. I don't want to miss HIM!

Heidi - "Yes, Lord." That's what it really comes down to, isn't it? And He takes care of the rest!

Sara - Fortunately, I must have gotten all the tears out Sunday, or I surely would have been bawling at G's words, too.
Yes. God is good. All the time!

Leah Adams said...

God knew you needed encouragement and He sent it through 'G'. God bless her for allowing herself to be used.

Our inadequacy is the breeding ground for God's best work!

Leah