I am thankful that I have the kind of community at work that supports me no matter what I am going through. It’s the kind of thing most people would expect someone to experience when working at a church. Often times though, working at church can feel a lot like working anywhere else. The day-to-day tasks and operational procedures are much like the rest of the working world. There is just a different vision and mission. If I were not working in a church right now, with the kinds of support that I have from my team, I don’t know how I would be able to cope with everything going on right now. For them, I am thankful. I am thankful for the support and prayers of so many people and family that I connect with online and on the phone, but today it was a difficult face to face conversation at work that meant the most to me.
Even though I sometimes don’t think through things before I act, they still care about me. Even though I am easily distracted with other projects, they help bring me back to focus on what I need to focus on. They genuinely care about me and my family, not just giving lip service to keep me around. They believe in me even when I struggle to do the same. They are my community. They are the ones who intercede on my behalf when I don’t know how to pray. They are the ones that encourage me when I am trying to stay strong in the face of adversity. They are living as the body of Christ for me. I am thankful to God for them. Sometimes I don’t understand them, but understanding has always come when I stop and listen and trust.