What a Difference a Year Makes

Every door holds untold opportunity and untold challenges.
Door in Colima Mexico (Copyright 2008 by Marcy Berg)

A year ago my life turned upside down and inside out. It happens. Life, it happens. We are not always prepared for things that come our way. Sometimes our choices have unintended consequences. But, as I think about all that has happened in the last three hundred and sixty-five days, I am awed at what God can do.

Several years ago I worked with a man who is an advocate for minorities: people with disabilities, children in foster care, adults with mental illness, racial and ethnic minorities. He refers to himself as a "community organizer" and he is. I learned many things working with him, but one thing that he told those who worked with him repeatedly has stuck with me "There must first be disorganization."

Over the past days, weeks and months my life has been disorganized and reorganized. During the darkest days, I clung to scripture:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

~ Philippians 4:13

If God is for us, who can be against us?

~ Romans 8:31(b)

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. 

They are plans for good and not for disaster,

to give  you a future and a hope.

~ Jeremiah 29:11

These verses carried me through the dark days until I could begin healing. Healing came slowly. But God provided what I needed on my journey. I was surrounded by a caring and compassionate church that prayerfully supported me. I was encircled by a group of strong women who nurtured my spirit. And I was blessed with the gift of an "adopted" mother, father and sister. 

Each day I grow stronger. I am thankful for those who wept with me, prayed for me and those who loved me.

For all of you who were here, thank you.

May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.

~ Jude 2

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 9

Day 9: Books

I must admit that I love books. The only place better than a library is a used bookstore.  Shelf after shelf reaching to the ceiling filled with millions of words. Words that tell stories, provide information on how to fix a car, sew a curtain or bake cookies. The internet is a fount of wonderful information, but books provide a sensory delight that my laptop, as much as I love it, never can provide.

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One of my long time favorite used bookstores is the Reader’s Guide in West Salem. Now, I have to be honest, they moved to a new location a few years ago. It’s just a little further down Edgewater Street than it used to be and it’s still filled to the rafters with amazing books. But, the old store was a sensory treasure trove. The former location was several different storefronts that had been connected over the years as the store had grown. Rooms filled with towering shelves of books led to other rooms of books in a maze-like fashion. There were times when I would find myself lost in the spirituality section or sitting on the floor perusing mystery novels or squeezed into the corner of the “kitchen” strolling through cookbook after cookbook marveling over the possibilities.

There are currently at least six books on the end table in my living room. Several books are in progress, some are waiting patiently for their turn and at least one has shared it’s story with me.  And I am thankful for all of them.

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 8

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Day 8: Coffee

I am thankful for coffee. I admit it. It is my one serious vice.  For those of you who know me well, the fact that I waited until day 8 to be thankful for coffee probably comes as quite a surprise.

Obtaining coffee is my first goal each morning when I wake up. Reaching my goal is often delayed by meeting the needs of two elderly daschunds, five cockatiels and one husband. Their morning goals do not include coffee and quite honestly, they don’t share my desire for a steaming hot cup of strong coffee laced with a bit of cream and a hint of vanilla.  Mmmm… Heaven on earth!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 7

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Day 7: Creativity 

When most people think about creativity, they think about art and literature. So do I.

Painting, sewing, writing, crocheting, etc. are all a part of my life and always have been. But, creativity is more than just being able to produce art and literature. I believe that creativity is a way of living. Having a zest for life and finding joy in all aspects of life.

Creativity is living an inspired life. Seeing possibilities. Exploring opportunities. Accepting change. Embracing diversity.

Creativity calls us to explore our options, to look at things from a different angle. A move to a new community is an opportunity to meet new people and try new things. A change in jobs offers the prospect of learning new things and expanding understanding of the world. Even a vacation to a new place offers the chance to fill our creative tank.

I am thankful for the gift of creativity and the doors that it continually opens for me: opportunities to explore, to grow and to learn.

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 6

Day 6: Grace

We all make mistakes. Sometimes I feel like I make a few more than necessary. Fortunately there is grace.

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Grace is a gift I receive from friends, family members and coworkers who recognize that I am human and sometimes drop the ball or make a decision that “seemed like a good idea at the time”. I think about my mother who often sighed and shook her head at her young daughter’s creativity and sense of adventure which often resulted in creating chaos or injury to myself.

Then there is the immeasurable gift of grace from God. God who knows the uniqueness of my spirit and my intentions, accepts me as I am and encourages me to do better. Like my mother, God fully understands me and His grace is sufficient.

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Days 4 & 5 - McMinnville Coat Drive

McMinnville Coat Drive and Giveaway

The last two days have been a blur of activity, seemingly blending into one long day. So, days four and five in my 24 Days of Thanksgiving share one thing in common: I am thankful for the spirit of generosity that exists in my community.

Last night I was blessed to watch nearly 60 local Girl Scouts sort out approximately 800 coats and sweatshirts. There were so many items that the coats covered seven six-foot tables as well as five pew benches two to three feet deep. Sweatshirts were stacked over one foot high under the tables as we ran out of space. Baskets of hats, gloves, scarves and socks lined one wall. It was a cornucopia of warm winter clothing.

For the past month, the Girl Scouts collected coats and other warm weather clothing throughout Yamhill County. Additional items were donated by local community members, Yamhill County Action Programs and Rainbow Family Services. First Baptist Church in McMinnville generously donated space for the coat giveaway. 

In a time of economic uncertainty, the spirit of generosity lives on in our community as people reached out to help their neighbors make it through the winter, because tToday, nearly 500 men, women and children received warm winter clothing. For this, I am thankful.

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 3

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Community

On this third day of my 24 Days of Thanksgiving, I am very aware of the community that I am part of. I   feel blessed to be surrounded at work, at church and in my city with people who are committed to changing the lives of others.

I must admit that as a counselor there is certainly higher than average opportunities to be connected with compassionate people. But, today during a social activity at work I spoke with people who care for pregnant and parenting teens, people who care for persons with disabilities and people who help others parent better. But most touching was the support people, clerical and managerial; who went out of their way to offer support and ask how they could help the people our agency serves.

My church and citizens of the community I call home have rallied to collect coats that will be given away this Saturday to people in need. People have donated coats, volunteered to sort coats and volunteered to help give them away.

Watching the news, one would be inclined to believe that there is no good in our communities. But I see the world from a completely different angle.