Good morning class, the first night of our study on the Book of Job was awesome, I was very pleased with the turnout and the level of participation. Over 3/4 of those who registered for this class attended. I pray that we can maintain this level of spiritual gathering moving forward.
Last night, we talked about Job's righteousness and the Doctrine of Retribution. We ended our study on some challenging words from Job, and the words to his wife. There were plenty of words of wisdom in our conversation.
During this week, our discussion is all about challenges in your ministry, or let's say your walk with God. Please name some of the difficulties in your ministry and then reflect on an individual who helped you overcome those hurdles. What did they say? How did they help you make meaning in your life? Reading assignment due by September 28 - Job 12, 13, 16:2-6,
I was active in the Senior Capper Residence Building before it burned down. so the Mayor's office asked me to be the Coordinator for the Capper Seniors to organize quarterly meetings for 2 years so the city could provide support. I agreed but found the role very challenging. Communicating and inspiring 160 seniors to be involved was difficult. Fortunately, there were additional volunteers to act as contacts in various buildings but even their interest began to wean as we remained separated throughout the city. Nevertheless, we persevered. And though I continue to keep folks updated on various issues, I am loosing interest and energy myself! In reflecting on my 15 years in the community, a major blessing was to work with a dynamic community advocate, Deborah Frazier. She was always volunteering to assist poor black residents in the midst of Navy Yard regentrification and to bring the whole community together. She died last Saturday and I am still adjusting. It was not just what she said, though there was plenty of that, but she had PASSION in her work! She never hesitated to help and provide information or her participation. And whenever I had no energy to attend a meeting or organize another event, she would be right there being her wonderful animated self offering wisdom and assistance! So last Sunday on my way to church, I learned of her passing and Deacon Bill's quote for his homily was "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. How timely!, that was the essence of Deborah Frazier's life because she was always serving and inspiring me especially when I wanted to quit!!! And that reminds me of Jesus's message that we are here to serve, not to be served! In conclusion, I pray daily for the health and perseverance to receive Divine Guidance in the best way I can serve joyously and lovingly.
I was active in the Senior Capper Residence Building before it burned down. so the Mayor's office asked me to be the Coordinator for the Capper Seniors to organize quarterly meetings for 2 years so the city could provide support. I agreed but found the role very challenging.
Communicating and inspiring 160 seniors to be involved was difficult.
Fortunately, there were additional volunteers to act as contacts in various buildings but even their interest began to fade as we remained separated throughout the city. Nevertheless, we persevered. And though I continue to keep folks updated on various issues, I am loosing interest and energy.
In reflecting on my 15 years in the community, a major blessing was to work with an authentic community advocate, Deborah Frazier. She was always volunteering to assist poor black residents in the midst of Navy Yard regentrification and to bring all the community together.
She died last Saturday and I am still adjusting. It was not just what she said, though there was plenty of that, but she had PASSION in her work! She never hesitated to help and provide information or her participation. And whenever I was weaning in energy to attend a meeting or organize an event, she would be right there being her wonderful animated self offering wisdom and assistance!
So last Sunday on my way to church, I learned of her passing and Deacon Bill's quote for his homily was "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. How timely!, that was the essence of Deborah Frazier's life because she was always serving and inspiring me especially when I was ready to quit!!! And that reminds me of Jesus's message that we are here to serve, not to be served!
In conclusion, I pray daily for the health and perseverance to receive Divine Guidance in the best way I can serve joyously and lovingly.
A major struggle for me is our PEOPLE...................... and all of our human-ness (I don't think that's a word). It is so difficult to have to fight for and with my own people at the same time.
My cure now that my spiritual director has gone home to be with the Lord is I pray and ask God to give me the strength to endure and to renew my faith daily so that i will always remember that what's coming is better than what's been.
Thank you for your comment Jackie. I get it, to name one person is a difficult task. Can you share a phrase or a word that brings you back to the reality so that you can do the assignment you feel called to do or "to carry it out"? Name the "tonic," that open your ears to hear what the spirit was say to you.
I consider my challenge to be my self-doubt. I find it difficult to believe that I have the skills to overcome, tackle or succeed at the task I have been assigned. I consider myself a participator: someone who can be given an assignment and then help to carry it out.
My "tonic" to cure this is to clean my ears and quietly listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and to hear the suggestions, observe visual cues, study the subject more intensely.
It is difficult to name one person. Many people have encouraged, prayed and supported me in my efforts to be a vehicle to spread the Good News. For their words, support and encouragement, I am greatful.