Growing up, I've heard my father say many times "This is life giving!" with his Ricky Ricardo Spanish accent. He would say it any time it rained, he was in nature, or all the family was together etc. So I've wondered about the definition of life and what it means to be pro-life (a very contraversial term).
For me, I don't think I experienced real life until I became a Christian. I was really a walking dead person. So what was it that gave me life. I think knowing there was a God who deeply loved me, experiencing hope, answered prayer, and the Holy Spirit. People investing in my life: shepherding me, teaching me basic life skills such as money management, how to study in college, how to cook, conflict resolution, family reconciliation, forgiveness. People helping me when money was tight: offering me clothes, furniture, or providing me with dinner. The government giving me loans and financial aid so I could afford school, housing, and bills. People praying for me and giving me advice when I didn't know what to do. People showing me how to do a resume, what to say and not to say in an interview...the list goes on.
So I have begun to wonder if hypothetically the law changes and abortion becomes illegal, will the babies really be born into life or will they be born into a dead world with walking dead people. As Shane Claiborne put it "Life does not begin at conception and end at birth." That's not to say they should not be given a chance, that I'm against there being a law against it, or that God can't redeem any situation. But I've had to re-evaluate what I mean when I say pro-life. I've realized that I have to be careful of a single issue becoming an idol in my life and therefore, neglecting so many other issues that also constitute life. Not that I don't care and pray about the abortion law. But I need to be weary of it becoming an idol and paralyzing me from bringing life in so many other ways to not only the unborn, but to those that are already "living".
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
There are no deer in LA
The other day I was driving home down the winding 110 freeway. It was a bit dark and there were less cars than usual. Then I forgot where I was. I thought I was back home in rural San Antonio, TX driving home from my parents. It must have been the dark, winding, carless freeway that threw me off. Then I began to freak out and was looking for deer that may run across the road. I slowed down a bit. I finally remembered I was in busy LA. I told my roommate and we laughed about it. There are no animals to worry about on these freeways. Right after that I thought I saw a rabbit running across the freeway before I realized it was a white plastic bag. I guess my mind had not made the shift yet.
The Sweetest Job Ever
The other day after coming home from a day at Universal Studios with some kids from my work, I started to reflect on why my job is the sweetest job ever. If it weren't for all my challenging jobs then I don't think I'd appreciate this one as much. Something as simple as a lunch break means so much to me. Here's my list that actually could be longer, but I didn't want to really bore anyone:
-I get to create my schedule
-I get to work "normal" hours (9-5)
-If Iwant to sleep in a day or two I can (as long as I work 40 hours a week)
-I get a lunch break
-My lunch break can be as short or as long as I want it (as long as I work 40 hours a week)
-If I'm tired, I can take a break (even a quick nap without being disturbed)
-I get to play lots of games (uno, chess, connect four, chuttes and ladders etc)
-I get to go fun places (Universal Studios, the beach, the movies, Jamba Juice etc) for free
-I get paid when I go on vacation
-I can take one day off every two weeks (as long as I work 80 hours in two weeks)
-Everyday is different
-I can make personal phone calls without getting yelled at
-I get to dress casually and choose my own outfits
-I don't have to sit or stand all the time
-I get to speak Spanish
-I get to help ADHD kids learn impulse control
-I get to help kids learn anger management
-I get to see the fruit of my labor
-I get good health insurance
-I get some holidays off
-I get to help people access resources and navigate difficult life circumstances
-I get paid enough that I don't live beyond my means
-I actually like my supervisors and co-workers (although my supervisor just put in his two weeks notice-very sad )
-My birthday is actually recognized and celebrated
-I can leave work early if I want to (as long as I work 40 hours a week)
-I get to be a part of breaking generational cycles (such as helping a high schooler graduate)
-I'm treated as a person with a personality and opionions/input that matters (not a robot)
-I get food for free at times (believe it or not when I worked in the food industry I was a lot less likely to get free food. It's considered employee theft.)
-My mental health matters to my supervisors and is actually taken into consideration (I'm not expected to be super women and pretend everything is okay when it's not)
-My co-workers are people that care about people and go out of their way at times for each other instead of taking advantage of peoples kindness
-I get to listen to my music sometimes
-I get to be indoors and outdoors
-I actually like promoting our services unlike when I worked at a restaurant and fast food joint
-I get to help people learn healthy habits
When I went to college, there were a lot of people that wanted a job where they could make a lot of money. I just wanted a job where I would be happy, but I was skeptical of this actually being possible. A lot of people warned me of going into the field I chose (Social Work) because they say it's hard, people get burned out, and you don't make much money. Now I'm glad I didn't listen to other people, but listened to God and pursued the things that make me happiest which is helping other people. This organization is good about protecting people from burn out and the money is better than I thought. I don't know about my future, but I trust God.
-I get to create my schedule
-I get to work "normal" hours (9-5)
-If Iwant to sleep in a day or two I can (as long as I work 40 hours a week)
-I get a lunch break
-My lunch break can be as short or as long as I want it (as long as I work 40 hours a week)
-If I'm tired, I can take a break (even a quick nap without being disturbed)
-I get to play lots of games (uno, chess, connect four, chuttes and ladders etc)
-I get to go fun places (Universal Studios, the beach, the movies, Jamba Juice etc) for free
-I get paid when I go on vacation
-I can take one day off every two weeks (as long as I work 80 hours in two weeks)
-Everyday is different
-I can make personal phone calls without getting yelled at
-I get to dress casually and choose my own outfits
-I don't have to sit or stand all the time
-I get to speak Spanish
-I get to help ADHD kids learn impulse control
-I get to help kids learn anger management
-I get to see the fruit of my labor
-I get good health insurance
-I get some holidays off
-I get to help people access resources and navigate difficult life circumstances
-I get paid enough that I don't live beyond my means
-I actually like my supervisors and co-workers (although my supervisor just put in his two weeks notice-very sad )
-My birthday is actually recognized and celebrated
-I can leave work early if I want to (as long as I work 40 hours a week)
-I get to be a part of breaking generational cycles (such as helping a high schooler graduate)
-I'm treated as a person with a personality and opionions/input that matters (not a robot)
-I get food for free at times (believe it or not when I worked in the food industry I was a lot less likely to get free food. It's considered employee theft.)
-My mental health matters to my supervisors and is actually taken into consideration (I'm not expected to be super women and pretend everything is okay when it's not)
-My co-workers are people that care about people and go out of their way at times for each other instead of taking advantage of peoples kindness
-I get to listen to my music sometimes
-I get to be indoors and outdoors
-I actually like promoting our services unlike when I worked at a restaurant and fast food joint
-I get to help people learn healthy habits
When I went to college, there were a lot of people that wanted a job where they could make a lot of money. I just wanted a job where I would be happy, but I was skeptical of this actually being possible. A lot of people warned me of going into the field I chose (Social Work) because they say it's hard, people get burned out, and you don't make much money. Now I'm glad I didn't listen to other people, but listened to God and pursued the things that make me happiest which is helping other people. This organization is good about protecting people from burn out and the money is better than I thought. I don't know about my future, but I trust God.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
My back
As some of you know, I sent out a prayer request for my back. I was having extreme pain for extended periods of time. There were several days that I was pretty debilitated because just about every movement hurt. My back had been an on going problem for some time.
The awesome news it that the day after I sent out my prayer request, my back was feeling better and it's been a steady increase sense. I've had several days now that I don't feel pain! Praise the Lord!! There are still times it hurts, but I'm thankful to be able to function. Plus, God has been using my back issues to speak to deeper rooted emotional issues. So I'm thankful for God speaking to me as well. Thanks everyone who prayed.
By the way, this is also why I have not posted anything in a while. Typing can really hurt my back. But I'm comin' back around, thanks to God!!
The awesome news it that the day after I sent out my prayer request, my back was feeling better and it's been a steady increase sense. I've had several days now that I don't feel pain! Praise the Lord!! There are still times it hurts, but I'm thankful to be able to function. Plus, God has been using my back issues to speak to deeper rooted emotional issues. So I'm thankful for God speaking to me as well. Thanks everyone who prayed.
By the way, this is also why I have not posted anything in a while. Typing can really hurt my back. But I'm comin' back around, thanks to God!!
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