We’ve all done those silly quizzes on Facebook, haven’t we? The ones where you find out what animal you are, which character from a movie we are, what our eye colour says about our personality. And I confess, I do enjoy these quizzes Sometimes the results are scarily accurate; sometimes the results are so ridiculously out of the ballpark that it’s laughable.
The other day I did one of those quizzes. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was about finding out your word for 2018. It was from one of those Christian pages and as a follower of Jesus, I thought this could be interesting, but at the same time I was a little sceptical because I’m a naturally suspicious (discerning is a much better word!) person, so I was ready for a more “aww, that’s nice” response to my word, which I figured was probably “love” or “grace” or something equally warm and fuzzy.
Now before I tell you what my word is, you need a little context. I work as a residential youth worker and a school chaplain/student wellbeing officer, and I am always doing my head in attending professional development seminars, reading books, researching better ways to work with my kids and understand them, attending training, talking to people, and trying to find ways to do it better and with more impact. What’s wrong with that? I hear you ask. Well, nothing. Unless it becomes all-consuming and results in burn out and exhaustion. Burn out and exhaustion are bad for anyone, but I have chronic fatigue so it’s especially not good for me.
I’m not just a residential youth worker and a school chaplain/student wellbeing officer. I love this part of my life; I have waited and worked many years to fulfil this dream of working with hurting and broken young people. I am also a wife, a mother (of my two adorable fur children – don’t judge me), a daughter, an auntie, a cousin, a niece, a friend, a worship leader, a singer, a writer, and most importantly, a child of God. I am a huge advocate of the importance of relationships and how relationship is an essential foundation in all aspects of life. But in the midst of all my striving, I found that, in spite of my heart’s desire, my relationship with God took more of a back seat and I just kept going and pushing and striving under my own steam. And I wanted it to be different. Continue reading “What’s Your Word For 2018?”
Perfect Combination of Princess and Warrior 