John 10:14

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...

I know that God likes to shower us with blessings, but yesterday He was just showing off.

First, I was asked by a second grade teacher to talk with two of her students that have not been getting along.  I'm actually employed at the school as an instructional aide, not as a counselor.  I was mighty thrilled to offer my social work skills.  The teacher, the class, the aforementioned students and I all brainstormed together about the two students' strengths and how they can use their strengths to get along.  Time will tell if the challenged students will make it work.  As for me, I do believe I will take continuing education units and pay the fees so my social work license will not lapse.  God may use me as a licensed certified social worker yet!

Then, later that day, who should greet me at Barnes and Noble but C., my supervisor from my former job at a half way house.  The last time we saw each other was when I handed in my resignation as a case manager.  Working at the half way house had become very stressful for me because the lady who hired me back in 2006 was gone, C. was promoted from case manager to supervisor in 2011, the half way house administrators in the far away land of Fargo were suddenly roaring loud and clear in our offices in the city of Mandan, and somehow I went from a valued employee to someone who "did not fit."  Little ol' me did not have the wherewithal to deal with the complicated, opinionated, defensive clients of the half way house (people who were transitioning from prison back into society), and defend myself to an apparently hostile employer.  So, I tearfully quit in 2012.

It turns out C. decided to quit her position at the half way house later the same year.  If my understanding is correct, she also was made to feel inadequate.  Anyway, at Barnes and Noble we laughed, talked about how very difficult it was to work at the half way house and reconnected as much happier human beings.  We congratulated each other on moving on and finding better jobs in this big ol' world.  I am mighty glad she saw me and stopped to say hello!

Then, finally, I was asked to be a greeter at a Joy International meeting called Java Joy.  It was a pleasure for me to say hello, give people a name tag, and ask them to sign in.  The speaker spoke on kindness, one of the fruits of the Spirit.  Lovely, lovely ladies all!

Thank you God for everything!