Share the Load

Some days I really feel inspired or empowered to do something different.
Today was one of those days.
I took this test a few months back after coming home from the Women of Faith conference. It's supposed to tell you what your strengths are, direct you towards the type of jobs or things that would allow you to use your strengths best...which will then help you to work through the things you're not so strong in (in a nutshell. If that didn't make sense, check out that website to see more about the idea behind it). It gives you the top two out of the nine categories of strengths that best fit you.
My lead role was Creator. I found it quite odd, actually. Not that it didn't make sense...but because I'd never thought of myself in that way. This is the description:

You aren’t immune to the feelings and perspectives of others, but your starting point is your own insight, your own understanding.
Your best quality is your ability to find patterns invisible to others
You should always find time to be by yourself
Be careful you don't think so long, you never do anything
Your smartest career move would be any job where you’re paid to produce new content

My supporting role was Advisor. This one makes a bit more sense to me. Here is the description for it:

Your thrill comes from knowing that you are the person others turn to for the answer. You don’t necessarily want to be the person who actually makes the changes happen. Rather, what excites you is being valued by others for your insight and your judgment.
Your best quality is your ability to find a solution
Always search for data to support your advice
Be careful you don't get frustrated by other people's failings
Your smartest career move would be any job where you're paid to be opinionated

Today, I felt inspired by each of those roles.

I looked up some info online about making jewelry. I'm not really sure why, but I suddenly had the strong urge to learn how to make jewelry. It sounds like something fun and creative to do while I'm not working.
I also felt inspired to be better at fulfilling this verse:

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2)

I love that, in the description for Advisor, it says to "always search for data to support your advice". I try my best to point people back to Scripture when they ask me my opinion on something or want my advice. I know it's the best advice I can possibly give someone.

So, while I don't know how working at a place where I produce new content and being opinionated really go together (unless it was some sort of reporting/newspaper type thing), I do know that I thrive off of being creative, having time to myself, listening to people, and pointing people back to Scripture. I love being able to carry people's burdens. I love knowing that people feel they can trust me and, in turn, entrust me with personal things. Some day, I am sure God will help me figure out how all these things work together. But in the meantime, I am going to continue doing the things I know He's currently called me to.

There is a Light

I have been struggling the last couple of days with the news that my uncle, while he is conscious and somewhat aware of what is going on around him, is refusing to eat. I know that he tried to kill himself, so he obviously was done living when he did that...but I was hoping this would be a second chance for him. The fact that he lived through it meant that God had a plan for him still being here...right? I just couldn't believe that God would let him live for a couple of weeks longer, only for my uncle to decide that he doesn't want to live and he's done...again.
But, my ways are not God's ways...me thinking that I could ever comprehend the ways of God is putting God in a box...a Breeann box. I know that God is working through this whole situation, even if it is tough to see at this very moment why things are turning out the way they are.
I have been reading through James, as we are starting a study on James in my Bible study this week, and I was struck by this section, as I am every time I read it:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (vs. 2-4)
Pure joy...how many times do I really look at tough situations and try to muster up the joy I need in my life to get through them? That doesn't mean that I have to be happy and smiling at the time; it means that I am relying on God to get me through and knowing everything in my life that is good comes from Him (see James 1:17). Sure, life is going to be hard and have its rough moments, but that doesn't mean that I turn my back on what I know to be true in this life. And, I don't have to understand everything on my own. If I am leaning on my own understanding, I will never understand. Instead, I need to lean on God (see Proverbs 3:5-6) and seek His wisdom (see James 1:5).
So, while I may not understand why God allowed my uncle to live through this, I know that God works all things together for good (see Romans 8:28). Somehow, some way, God will be glorified in this situation, and someone will be affected for the good. My prayer is that my non-believing family members will turn their hearts to God and learn to trust Him, as they never have before; and that those who do have a relationship with God will be strengthened during this time, not disheartened.