Things I discovered while Cleaning out my Office

I've spent the last couple of days going through piles of papers.  Seriously big piles.  Piles that completely filled the tall recycle bin in our copy room.  Papers that I don't need anymore and probably never really needed to keep in the first place. 

And in the process, I discovered a few things...

• I'm a hoarder of office supplies ( and folders, labels, envelopes, etc.--you get the drift...)
• I like fun-colored/printed folders
• Calendars dating back to 2011 (yes, calendars is plural there--just don't ask)
• Some sweet, sweet thank you notes
• A napkin with training plans/philosophies on it (which, have all been implemented at this time--yay, God!)
• Lots and lots of old "Maps" (our name for a weekly schedule) with hundreds of volunteer names on them
• Precious artwork and notes from my daughter

But, the biggest thing I re-discovered is that I am blessed.  Some days, an office job doing data entry sounds really good.  It's got a beginning and an end.  It can be compartmentalized and not thought about again when I get home.  It might not take as much energy from me.

But, it would take me away from people.  Back in 2006, I remember being asked why I wanted this job--did I realize how hard it would be working with people day in and day out.  My answer then is the same one now.  "Yes.  People are a lot of work and it will be hard.  BUT, they also bring a lot of joy--more than a spreadsheet--and the rewards far outweigh the words."

Moving on/over is sometimes hard, but if we don't move, we stagnate.  And stagnate water not only looks ugly, it stinks. 

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"  Isaiah 43:18-19a

P.S.  Reading back through this, I want to clarify that I am not leaving Bent Tree; I am simply shifting my focus from what I've done for the past 8 years to helping to build the Kids ministry on the Frisco campus.  I'm cleaning in anticipation of an awesome replacement for me in Carrollton.