So… we are experiencing a wild ride here 15 days into Trump’s presidency. No matter where you may land on the politics of it all, I think we can agree that many, many people are experiencing uncertainty and fear. I know that the tenor of my counseling sessions has ratcheted up several notches. Jarring and unsettling headlines are happening even more frequently! Who knew that was possible?
A quote from Sharon McMahon strikes me as timely and important;
“I refuse to be distracted from my important work.”
What is your important work?
For many, the important work hasn’t changed in the last month even with the current stream of executive actions and questions about implementation. But for some, events of late shake-up which work is most important. And in that case, shifting to the new work and staying focused on it will be key.
My important work is to be fully present and fully ready for every client that I see. That means NOT checking the news between sessions because it throws my focus askew. It also means praying and centering myself so that I can be as steady as possible for each dear one that comes into my office.
McMahon’s resolve can serve as an encouragement and an anchor for all of us. As one colleague reminded a group of us in the business of soul care, “This is a marathon, not a sprint”. It was a good reminder to settle down and settle in.
13 Responses
Thank you for this reminder, Janice. I’ve developed a few mantras while I’m taking some deep breaths when I find my thoughts spiraling in all this chaos….God’s got this and He is good.
Thank you for this! I needed this. I will try to be more focused on “my work”, pray more, and NOT check social media as frequently. Thank you for the reminder and support!
Yes!!! all about the boundaries!
Your ending quote about remembering it is a marathon and not a sprint was a constant reference during 2020’s COVID pandemic, hurricanes destroying most of our city (Lake Charles), and displacing my family just a few months before my husband deployed to Iraq and underwent 24/7 war-zone conditions for a year, then returned to a city still under construction. It literally took 23 months to get back in our home after countless hotels and two different apartments as more tragedies continued to compile; flood, freeze, busted water pipes, another hurricane (Delta) and a tornado with multiple thefts and misrepresentations of contractors and insurance agents.
My family never recouped even half of what we lost; given the timeframe, rejected accounting, and damages from what seemed like all directions.
There is no doubt God was carrying us, shaping us, providing for our needs, refining our wants, and at work in every heartache, victory, and uncertainty along the way.
He proved to be faithful, again and again. No, we didn’t get everything done. We didn’t get what our insurance said we would. We still have unfinished work and scars of all kinds.
His faithfulness was not seen in all we received. It was not seen in wrongs being made right. It was seen and felt in the fact that no matter what destruction, loss, hurt, broken trust, or injury came our way, it was evident that God was holding us and ever-present with us in unexplainable ways. Things did not work out in our favor. My husband did not come back from Iraq free of devastating symptoms which still linger and invade our lives. I could not find another teaching position for over 2 years. Still, God’s presence was felt and seen at an even greater degree than times past. His presence was more than enough to combat the disappointments and losses. It is in the darkest moments that His radiance shines the brightest. He is not only enough. He is the very best of everything and in everything.
Wow, what a reminder of what hanging on to God might look like through a very real marathon. I hate that you suffered so, and I’m heartened to hear that God’s presence was felt and real. Thanks for this story. It’s gritty and real. You are amazing.
Thank you Janice! This is EXACTLY what I needed in my inbox today. Gives me total permission to get to my work and confirms my instinct that it’s ok to do it. Grateful for your wisdom and initiative to post such an important piece today.
So glad it connected!!!
I think what trump and his administration are doing seems to be correcting some of the wrong that happened over the last 4 years…? Sure they’re humans and not God, but a lot of what they’re doing is humanly “good”.
My thoughts and evidenced observations as well. With President Trump’s administration team making moves which threaten underground deals with some people in power and foreign countries, the process in his head has increased, no doubt. Absolutely every single day is a gift from God. He knows when our time on earth is done. Still, I continue to pray for the safety of those who are leading our country in a right direction..for them and for their families.
*Price on his head… (auto-correct sometimes over-corrects).
Thank you for helping me to refocus my bleeding and fearful heart. (Sometimes having the gift of mercy can derail me.)
Thanks for that helpful and timely reminder, Janice!
Thank You!