Celebrating the Underdog

Yesterday my daughter and I volunteered at the Bahamas Humane Society Fun day. It was a day to help raise money to further the amazing work being done at the BHS, where hundreds of homeless, abused and unwanted animals are cared for and eventually re-homed to their "furever" home. There were food, games, and contests for all to enter. The contests were far from the traditional dog show events; there were awards for best kisser, waggiest tail, most/least obedient, most agile, most unusual looking, and best costume. There were ribbons handed out to the winners of the contests, worn with pride by the dogs and the proud owners.

The day which was primarily a fundraiser was really more about celebrating the underdogs of the dog world. The dogs there did not contain a pedigree or official papers stating their genetic greatness. No, the only claim of greatness was seen in the bond between dog and their owners, but what a claim. Papers were nowhere to be found but claims of love and friendship abounded in plenty. Most of the dogs yesterday were alive because they had been surrendered to the BHS, rescued off the streets or snatched from a death sentence at the pound by BAARK. These once underdog dogs were certainly the stars of the show as they were paraded through the fun day by the owners who loved them.

I too am an underdog, in fact I think most of us are if we think about it. There is a point in most people's lives that we question where we belong. We might have come from the best of families or the worst of families, our heritage matters not, what matters is that we truly know to whom we belong. Once we do, we no longer are forced to take cover under rotting porches instead we have shelter with a King. When we know where we belong, the terrifying fear of being hurt is replaced with the strong protection of our Creator. The dogs yesterday, were once underdogs but were claimed, sheltered, protected and loved. They wore their ribbons from the contests with pride and their owners beamed to be associated with such a dog. I too have a ribbon of belonging which I wear with pride, it is not seen with eyes as it is in my heart. I know I belong, I am protected, sheltered and best of all loved. I belong to the King. Yesterday, I was reminded of such truth.

Live Like you are Loved

This blog is not necessarily about the packing and sorting stage of my move that I usually write about, today it is about my life as a therapist as I have been saying goodbye to many of my clients I have realized that a few of life's lessons are meant for me not just those who sit in front of me.
I work as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I work almost exclusively with teens and their families and about 80% or more of my clients are girls ages 11-21. I Love my work, I love my girls, I adore their hearts, energy and creativity. I love being around them. However this week, if I had to say one more time."You are worth so much more than that" in regards to their choice of relationship, I think I might have snapped. It is not that I do not care, or am tired of them, it is quite the opposite really. I adore them and it hurts to hear their stories. It is just that I wonder if some of these girls will ever get the message, they are worth so much more than they are being treated. Most of the girls I talk to are in very very bad relationships. The stories I could tell would make you ill. These relationships are controlling, abusive, destructive and harmful. Even though, every day I sit with these girls and hear their individual stories I am always amazed at their inability to see just who they are and the value they have just because they are. They are blinded by what they think is love but in reality it is far from any love they want or need. I can clearly see in these girls their talents, their creativity and their uniqueness but they cannot, at least not yet. If they could, they would not continue accepting these harmful relationships. It truly breaks my heart. These girls are being hurt and disrespected. Even worse my girls end up believing they are worth being treated like that, and continue to accept any attention as good attention.

I was telling a friend this last night over dinner, that I felt like a broken record at work. When I reflected on the way home from dinner I sadly realized, I am not unlike these girls. In fact dare I say it, most of us are not totally unlike these girls. Often we unaware of our own worth. We cling to thoughts, things or people blinded by the idea that having them in our lives makes us more worthy, more accepted and more loved. In truth, our clinging to these things diminishes our value. It forces us to believe that this is all we are worth, nothing more.
I fear I cling to unhealthy things or ideas because maybe deep down I am not worth more. I am prone to clinging to things that can hurt me, slow me down and cause me to forget the amazing truth that I am His.

Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love (which I highly recommend if you want your world to be rocked) says "The greatest knowledge we can ever have is knowing that God treasures us." It seems so simple but friends it ain't. I challenge my girls to date according to what they are worth, to find a guy that admires her for strength, her ideas and just because she is a one of a kind unique amazing person. I also need to challenge myself to live according to my worth. That I am His, that God has made me for unique roles and will allow me to be a part of amazing experiences. What kind of life would I experience if I could live day to day like that? I think it would blow my mind the joy of living like I am loved. I think it would blow the worlds mind to see that there is better love to cling to than anything in this world, and He is waiting for you to cling to Him.

Just think for a moment, do you live like that? Sadly, I fear if you caught me in an everyday situation you might not even see evidence that I know that. Often I find myself wandering in my day to day actives not remembering that I am treasured, or that I am God's. He made me, and created me to be His, I am His treasure. How amazing that God who has all and is all thinks of me as his treasure. How horrible a reality to forget.

I realize this is more of a challenging post, but it was written for myself to remember to live like I am loved, and help show others they are loved too. If you happened to be challenged by that, I make no apologizes, Wanna know why? You were created for a purpose and you need to know, that you my friend are loved too!!!