Homelessness – Swimming Upstream

So much for resolutions.

I realize I have not written in awhile. New job, new commitments, new excuses.

Forming new habits is easier said than done. It requires a certain amount of discipline, but it also needs to be a priority. For me writing is a release of information from my brain, but it is not always a priority. I am actually ok with that. I don’t have a need to write daily, just to write when I have something to say.

This year has been a year of change for me. Having a new job means learning new things. In some ways it means changing my thought processes and even what I thought was the right way to do something. For some of my writing I need to change my simple style of writing the way I speak and think, to elaborating and adding details for others to see the big picture. I even have to change the way I look at things to see more from other’s point of view.

The cool thing about expanding the way I think and see the world is that the world is becoming more colorful and a bigger place. It is easy to become cynical when not everyone agrees with you, or you can step up to the challenge of changing their minds or changing yours.

Right now I am coming off of an exhilarating day of listening to experts from all over the country speak about domestic violence and homelessness solutions at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As they concluded a 5 year investment into some of their local programs, I was able to hear the stories of how communities changed the way they were doing business and saw amazing results for survivors of domestic violence.

In just over a month, I have changed the way I think about homeless solutions, collaboration, and even community. The cool thing is after seeing what I have seen in Washington (the State), I know that change is possible in my community too.

This is a year of change. I am looking forward to seeing lives changed because of the good work of the organization I work for and others in the community as we work on ending homelessness.

Opening our minds to change can be good.

It has been for me.

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day learning about my new job. It was a great meeting and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I know I should probably be a little nervous about the change and all of the giant goals ahead of me, but if I will be it has not hit me yet. There is so much to learn and so much to do. I am so excited about the direction of the organization and what the future holds.

Leaving your comfort zone can be difficult. I have loved the job I have had for nearly 8 years. Leaving the people and the environment I know is hard, but I also feel strongly that this was a season for all of us. I am also excited for the new director to come in and put her mark on Christian HELP. Knowing that if God had a plan for me, He also had a plan for the organization has made it a little easier to let go.

I keep seeing verse 43:19 from Isaiah. As I look to the future, the issues I will be working on with the team at the Commission and the community through collective impact are overwhelming. Homelessness is tragic and the wilderness needs to end for so many people who are suffering. As I drive to work each day, I pass by a homeless camp in the woods. I can see it from the road. I look forward to the day when we can offer the people who live in these tents a place to go that is more stable.