holy cow

so i was home sick monday and tuesday. sleeping and trying to consume as many liquids as possible, so i did not blog. i'm sorry. and then work has been insaaaaaaaanely busy. i started my yoga class this week. sooo freaking excited! it was fantastic! and i've been trying to round up people to write recommendations for seminary and trying to figure out how to say no to something my pastor asked me to do, but that i really really don't want to do. and yes. the easy way is to just say 'no' but i'm really not good at saying no. sigh. it makes me feel like i'm failing somehow. the other thing i've been stressing over is my entry in our lent devotional. which was due today. and i just emailed, with 55 minutes to spare :O) so i'll post it below. read if you want, you don't have to, just thought i'd throw it out there. hope you're all having fantastic weeks! love and hugs

Bible verse :Philippians 2:1-4
Imitating Christ's Humility : 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

There are two things that I learned quickly after starting my work at the Women's Resource Center. One was that no matter how many times I had heard that domestic violence affects everyone, and no matter how many times I had repeated that, it was completely true. We all know that Centre County has a wide variety of people; college students and long time residents, young kids and great grandparents, rich and poor and everything in between. At the Women's Resource Center we work with all of them. No one who steps into my office ever thinks they will need to. I am blessed to be able to help them understand what is going on and hopefully provide some options and information that make it easier for them to make whatever decision they need to make with confidence and support. Which brings me to point number two, hope.

One of the first things that people say to me after learning where I work is, "that must be depressing." I'm not lying when I tell you that it really is one of the most hopeful places I've ever worked. I get to be part of a process of discernment that will lead the client to a healthier and safer life. To be involved at the point of change is really quite inspiring, it's definitely a difficult process, but it is one of infinite hope. Hope for a safer home, hope for a life free of violence, hope for new nurturing relationships, hope for change.

As you interact with people today,I challenge you to treat them with love, you never know where in their journey they are, and that compassion could be just what they need to get through the day. I leave you with this prayer and charge by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn:

Waking up this morning, I smile
Twenty four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.