Sunday, November 30, 2008

From the Great JC

Ever have one of those times in your life when you know it's decision time...pee or get off the pot so to speak? During this next week, I face a lot of decisions...changing jobs...to a job that is less hours, which should equate to less work...but really equates to more work, more learning, more dealing with personalities, more rules and regulations to master, etc. etc...but mostly change. A lot of change.

I have also decided this week to contact a friend of mine who has always told me I could work in his office; to begin the transformation to private practice...to find out exactly what needs to be done...how to get licensed, how to get on insurance boards, how to build a clientele, etc. etc. again...lots of change.

When I embarked on this journey three years ago I probably didn't think of the actual transformation...I think I only saw myself in an office with clients, and finally setting my own schedule. That is still the dream...but the bridges to cross to get there seem daunting. I still have to make a substantial income, I still have to provide my family with health insurance...I can't just get me a 'start where I'm at and we'll make money later' kind of job. So it seems there are added pressures. I also want to take a percentage of low income clients, and so I'll need to learn how to do that without going broke! Anyway...

Today I went to church. It was lay ministry Sunday and by far one of the best services I have ever been to. We had an amazing musician Dr. Todd Payne at the service who sang and recited part of Dr. MLK's speech, I have a dream. Very fitting today for my struggles. Then, four members of the church spoke instead of our Pastor. A statement by one of them I thought was fitting for today is "The same Holy Spirit that was with Jesus on the cross is with me." How powerful is that? If the Holy Spirit can get Jesus through Crucifixion I can certainly get through a job change...and it'll all be alright! Dr. Payne spoke a lot of change today and his summary was, "God will lead you through change which is constant." No matter where I'm at, there is going to be change...constant change. One of my favorite sayings is "Be the change you want to see in the world." There is a lot I have to offer those teachers, children, and families at the therapeutic day school. Along with that, I'm certain there is a lot I have to offer the children and families that will be attending my private practice. Although it isn't easy...I am confident it'll be ok. It came to me today from the Great JC Himself...

Today we closed with one of my favorite hymns of all time...Here I am Lord...


Here I am Lord
Words and Music by Daniel L Schutte© 1981

Genesis 46:2
"And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night,and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I."

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

You lead me, I will go.

3 comments:

j said...

You are so right. You can have confidence in JC. He will not steer you wrong!

HeatherPride said...

Very beautiful! Good luck with everything! Change is stressful but it will be worth it in the end!

Grammie said...

My dearest daughter,

Yesterday I wrote down part of Joel's serman not knowing why. Now I know..first he told the story about David and Goliath. He said if David hadn't gone through this trauma, he would only be remembered today as the little shepherd boy. The people tried to give him armour for the fight, but it was too big, so he went out to fight Goliath with just a sling shot and 5 rounded stones the people thought. What they didn't know is that God had given him all the armour he needed. Joel said, and I qoute,

"When you know who you are
and Whose you are,
and when you know that God has armed you with strength for every battle,
and you know that God has equipped you, empowered you, and annointed you,
then you, too, can defeat a giant with less equipment.
You have been annointed to accomplish your dream. Don't let anything or anyone discourage you. If this was not God's dream for you, you wouldn't be dreaming it and He never gives you a dream without first annointing you and equipping you for the job!

As far as the particulars of starting your own business, first you get a get a job at a clinic. Then Larry had to work for the clinic for almost two years, being supervised. Maybe, this was an Arizona requirement. Then he got his license.( then you join American Mental Health Association and get get your liability insurance through them. It is called CPH, I believe, and their home office is in Chicago. Then, you are set to go! Anymore info you need, just ask Larry.

Lots of luv, yo mama