Appreciation.

If I had a nickel for every time I have the following conversation, I'd be rich:

Them: "So what do you do?"
Me: "I'm a Counselor/Advocate at HAVEN the shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Oakland County."
Them: "Wow. That's awesome. I bet it's really hard."
Me: "Ya it's emotionally draining but it's really awesome."
Them: "Man, I couldn't do what you do...."

Seriously. That conversation happens at least once a week. Maybe not in that exact order and maybe a few emphasis words added in or taken out but that's the gist of it... Except that last comment from Them.


I COULDN'T DO WHAT YOU DO. 

Now, I didn't ask them what they thought of my job. I didn't brag about what I do. I mean, I get to change lives directly everyday. That speaks for itself how awesome of an opportunity it is. I have this conversation with all kinds of people.  But that same sentence comes up 95% of the time.

And it's true. My job isn't easy. I had a young child this last week give me graphic details of what (s)he witnessed in their home right before the family came to stay at HAVEN. That child will never lose that image of a weapon being held up to his/her mother. NEVER. And I will never forget that child telling me those details. I won't forget about the woman being held on the floor and choked. I won't forget about the pregnant one who was had her pregnant stomach beat. I won't forget the black eyes, broken arms, trembling voices, terrified women. I won't forget hearing women tell me again and again,
"He came home drunk and just started beating on me. He told me if I didn't do this or that he was going to blow my head off. I've gone through it so many times I forget how serious that really is"

I can't imagine working at HAVEN and not being a Christian. My faith is what gets me through most weeks. I look forward to Sundays which are my days of biggest refreshment, spending so much time in worship and fellowship with other believers. The one day of the week where I'm not pouring into others or listening to horror stories. But some days, some weeks, it's hard to take care of myself. It's hard to pour back into myself so that when I go back to work on Monday I have the strength to make it through another 40 hour week talking to clients, DHS workers, landlords, therapists, social workers, doctors, etc trying to get my client's back on their feet and pouring truth about who they are and what they've been through. Reminding them that that are strong women and it's not their fault, but also reminding them that they need to take care of themselves in order to take care of business and their families.



Some days, some weeks, I just *wish* someone would say,

"You know what? You do an amazing thing. I'm not gifted like you, but I am gifted in other areas. Is there something I can do for you?"