February 3, 2018

Greetings My Friend,

Last week at the doctor's office I noticed the staff circling one of t he office staff while I was checking out. The staff was standing in support of their coworker who was dealing with a difficult patient. Another day I went to get lab work done at a small ER in town, while waiting for my number to be called I saw several men in suits walking around going from one area of the hospital to another area. A couple of the men nodded at Junior and I, asked how we were doing. Finally I was at the eye doctor's in the waiting area until a room opened up for me when I noticed the eye doctor walking from one room to the next, she looked stressed, her body was tight, her face locked into a forced grin. Recently I have realized that I am once again becoming very tuned into the underlying emotions of other people. Before I went to work I was able to sense when someone was struggling deeply, I had to make myself tune out these emotions when I went to work so that I could do my job, I am amazed that I am picking up on these subtle signs again. At the doctor r's office I commented to the lady who was checking me out, she affirmed what I was perceiving then I told her one of my stories relating how I coped when I worked. She knew that I was relating and then she shared her feelings as she continued to check me out. It seemed that by acknowledging the struggle I was able to relieve a bit of the stress. I was able to relieve the stress with acknowledgement, silliness in the other two situations as well. In my silliness I told the women to remember me when they faced other struggles during that day. This time around I  am not polarized as I was when I was much younger, I am able to relate, somehow defuse the situation with a bit of silliness and help the people deal with their struggle. I have an appreciation of the struggle it is to work with the public and God has opened my heart to be a bit of sunshine in these situations. I feel God has given me this ministry of compassion so that I can open up a heart to receive His Son, I see this as planting a seed, strengthening a believer and I am grateful for the opportunity to love my neighbor as myself. It feels good to be wanted to be useful and to reflect the love Jesus to other people. Finally I am grateful that God uses me in His Kingdom building. Life is good and God is great! May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet