Week one of the new job is in the books. I can't believe how it has flown by. Each day I have spent time in different "rotations," working in the various departments and facilities owned and operated by the Roanoke Rescue Mission. On Day 1 I worked at the main reception desk and quickly realized how little I knew about the place, as time and again I answered phone callers' questions with "let me see if I can find someone who can answer that for you." Since then I have toured and helped out in all three of the Mission's thrift stores, it's art gallery and café, the Women's and Children's Center (homeless shelter), and it's free clinic. Last night I attended a networking dinner and today there was lunch with the Chamber of Commerce staff. The week capped off with Rally, the weekly Friday afternoon event to worship God and celebrate the accomplishments of men and women in the Mission's renowned recovery program. I What a privilege to get to work in this place, where lives are being transformed on a daily basis! Next week I will spend a full day with the Recovery program and another day split between the men's shelter and kitchen services, before finally starting in my position as Director of Development on December 1.
In each of my rotations, I have been warmly welcomed by people who are so passionate about what they do that it's contagious. Some of them are themselves success stories of the recovery program, eager to share their own stories of transformation. Others have given up more lucrative careers because they find their work in this ministry to be so rewarding.
The Roanoke Rescue Mission is an amazing place with amazing people, but it's all because of our amazing God. He made that even clearer to me on Tuesday at the Distribution Recycling Center, where I spent my afternoon. The DRC is the building which processes all the items dropped off at the donation centers. Clothing and shoes are sorted for distribution to the various thrift stores, appliances are tested and, if necessary, repaired. Kitchenware, toys, pillows and linens are cleaned and sanitized. Simply put, it is command central for making all the donated items ready for thrift store shelves.
Back to what God did. You see, I launched my career in TV news from that building when I was fresh out of college. It was Cox Cable at the time, and I reported and anchored a 5-minute local news cut-in on CNN Headline News called Roanoke Headline News. Tuesday, when I walked into the DRC's toy room, I realized it was my old news studio. As memories came flooding back, God whispered Isaiah 43:19 into my heart. "See, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?"
With that verse he reassured me yet again that just as that old abandoned building has been repurposed and brought back to life with this vital Rescue Mission ministry, God has also repurposed me and my talents for his kingdom work. Allowing me to re-launch into professional life from the very place where I got my start was a brilliant reminder of what God will do when I surrender my will to his.
I just love it when God does stuff like this, and I kind of think he takes delight in seeing his children with our minds blown when we actually connect the dots. I'm picturing him with a big ole grin on his face. He sure has put one on mine!
P.S. The Roanoke Rescue Mission operates solely through donations and with the help of about 5000 volunteers. If you would like more information, like us on Facebook and check out the website to see how you can get involved! http://rescuemission.net/
No comments:
Post a Comment