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This morning at church - Ed Young, our pastor, talked about something that is so important to me - something that I really talk to people about every day so I thought that I would blog a little bit about it tonight. The topic was having JOY in your JOB...two things that people rarely put together. There were a couple of points that he made that I want to share with you and dive into a little.

1. There is so much that we get from doing a "job". We gain confidence, sense of accomplishment, serving and giving to others. It cannot just be about going to a building every day from 8am to 5pm to earn a paycheck. If it is, we should find something different to do. What I tell my students every day is that you are going to WORK the majority of your life - there will be years in your life that you spend more time at work than you do with your family - you should do something that you LOVE.

**We work so that we can come home and provide for our families and enjoy LIFE - if you are miserable at a JOB - it is very difficult to come home and do that.**

2. Working is also about relationships. We are in such tight spaces all day with a group of people that we dont really have a choice about...doesn't it make sense that God put these people in our lives for a reason. I am committed this week to try and figure out that reason for at least one person that I work with. I challenge you to do the same thing. If you know me, you know that I dive right into people's lives all the time. I dont hesitate to get personal and I expect no less from the people that I know...BUT...just because we get personal, doesn't mean that I have been searching for God's purpose of placing them in my life. I am excited to figure that out.

3. One of the other things that Ed discussed was that it is our responsibility as parents to prepare our children for their careers. He quoted Proverbs 22:6 - "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." I have this verse framed in my house and I have always thought of it in a different perspective. I really like the way that he referenced it. It is our responsibility to expose our children to so many different opportunities and determine what their gifts and strengths are. Then commit to building on those gifts and prepare them for a career where they use them.

When I think about my career that I have right now - it is a perfect fit for the gifts that I have. I have always been good at adapting...I have always had a very DIVERSE base of friends and have been able to cameleon to them...that is really important in working with kids from all different backgrounds and goals. I have also had a pretty easy time talking to people and giving advice...solicited or not...that is part of my responsibility in my position. I sometimes have to tell people things that they may not want to hear...and push them to be their best. Lastly, I have always been a leader - I am new to managing - but I think that God gave me that inherant gift to build upon. I am so excited to think about this more and really know that I am in the right position career-wise.

Oh - you can link to our church website and watch the message online if you would like - he is so encouraging and so funny - you would really enjoy it - I am sure of it. The website is: www.fellowshipchurch.com.

Have a great Monday!