Organized Chaos (i.e. my job)

I've been working at lot lately at Feed My Starving Children.  I've been able to pick up a lot of extra hours over the past couple of months which has been a blessing in a number of ways.  After working there for a little more than three months, I feel really good and comfortable with doing everything that is part of my position.  In my extra hours I have learned to do some extra things and I've learned more about the internal workings of FMSC.

Since I first started working at FMSC, it has been much more than just a job.  It has been a welcome source of income, but more than that it has been a way for me to live out my calling while helping to feed thousands of starving children around the world and helping thousands of volunteers make a significant difference in the world.  I have grown in a number of ways by working at FMSC, but perhaps the greatest way I have grown is in my ability to deal with organized chaos.  There are a number of factors that contribute to the organized chaos at my job- there's always something that threatens disorganize the organized chaos: extra large groups, young groups, old groups, volunteers with different abilities, loud volunteers, issues with the ingredients, overflowing toilets, a shortage of staff, and a variety of other situations.  But I love it.  I love not knowing what to expect.  I love being surprised.  I love trying to figure out how to keep things under control and running smoothly all while packing food to keep children alive around the world.    

Sure my job has presented some challenges- times and situations that have tested my patience and my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength.  

But through it all and perhaps because of these challenges I love my job…

...even at 7:00 am

...even at 10:00 pm

...even after working for 12 hours

...even when mopping, vacuuming, sweeping, doing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the garbage, and doing laundry

...even when there are too many or not enough volunteers

...even when there's 50 million things to do (and this is pretty much all the time)

...even when I’m sweaty, hot, and half covered in chicken flavored powder

...even when the toilet overflows…twice in one night

Along with those challenges are the many joys- the little and big things that keep me going and inspire me. 

I love my job...
...especially when kids say things with wisdom far beyond their years
...especially when a volunteer says a moving prayer over the food they have packed
...especially when volunteers make generous donations
...especially when there are really cute little kids volunteering
...especially when I see volunteers who are so excited to come volunteer
...especially when we get to pray over a shipment of food before it leaves our warehouse
...especially when working with all my amazing, adept, and passionate co-workers
...especially when volunteers bring humor, fun, and enthusiasm with them
...especially when I have underestimated what is possible and God proves me wrong (yet again)
...especially after a volunteer session when we pack a lot of boxes of food
...especially when a volunteer takes the time to thank me or tells me that they had a great experience
...especially when I see that volunteers understand the injustice of hunger and are motivated to do something about it
...especially when I clearly see God’s hand working through the volunteers and staff
...especially when I see volunteers come in day after day to give of their time, energy, and resources to feed starving children