The Next Step

I had an exciting opportunity yesterday to sit in training with my counselor. No, it wasn't more counseling in the traditional sense, it was counseling on how to better help other people who face many of the struggles I have, and still, face. It was a fantastic afternoon.

To say it was non-traditional would be a definite understatement. We focused on getting outside of moving from bad behavior to good to a place where true forgiveness and reconciliation are preexisting. A place where we realize God's love for others no matter the circumstance.

So often when I try to help I either focus on listening or fixing. To realize my wrong-headed thinking on this was really enlightening. I realized, going through the training, my approach often leads me to take sides and empathize with one over another. Yesterday afternoon I realized I don't have the answers or the perspective to change anything, this is God's job. I realized my sole job in helping is to love as God loves.

Loving as God loves is easy to say. Loving as God loves is not easy to do. If I really think about the implications of that, it means I have to get outside of myself and let God work. It means love is completely forgiving and without satisfaction in my own accomplishment. It means I am simply a worthless vessel unless God is filling me and pouring His love.

I am truly excited about this continuing opportunity. This is the next step, certainly not the last step, in a journey to love well.