Never Going Back to OK

I knew this was bound to happen. I think I started the "next blog entry" a dozen times - they're all tucked in a Word file on a flash drive in an unfinished state, much like me, the garage and the basement. But hey, at least I got the lawn cut. Oh wait that was last week.

Life has been interesting to say the least. Sometime in the last month and a half, I thought I was going to be last person to hold my position at CCA. I struggled mightily with the challenges that faced our agency. There was just not enough coming in to keep up with what was going out. For three weeks I slept very little, I stewed very much and accomplished who knows what.

At some point, I gave up. Not on the agency, but on trying to figure out how I was going to solve it all. I realized as I had become more bent on finding the solution, I was less and less relying on my faith. Finally, one night I let go and let God. I prayed, not for the miracle gift from a miracle donor, but instead for the wisdom and direction we needed to go. For the first time in a long time, I found peace enough to sleep for more than 3-hours. I found direction that was by no means easy, but comfort in the fact that there was clarity and calm.

As I share with people, the miracles were not 5 and 6-figure checks, but instead a focus on what we need to be doing; honest discussion with staff, clients and community and swift, appropriate decisions. It is not easy, but the affirmations of faith that we are able to share with each other, the fact that we have not had to adversely impact the services of those in need and are finding ways to more efficiently serve even more people strengthen our resolve that we are where we are, who we are, with the unique experiences and God-given talents to work together in this difficult time to serve as He would have us serve.

CCA is better positioned for its future once we clear the short-term financial challenges we are in the midst of. There are some exciting things on our horizon that we hope will be lessons that other agencies can learn from and/or be a part of in order strengthen our whole community.

For the many people who have responded to our call whether through prayer, time or contribution, thank you. Please continue to keep us, as an agency and those we serve, in your prayers. There are some great, faith strengthening experiences we'll be able to share - and we look forward to do so.

Peace be with you.

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Never Going Back to OK by The Afters
"That was yesterday
We're never going back to OK.
We're never going back to easy.
We're never going back to the way it was.
We're never going back to OK."