100th Day of Thanksgiving!

When my kids were in kindergarten, they always had a big celebration on the 100^th day of school…program, party, crafts, snacks.  It was the highlight of the year.  That concept has always intrigued me.  So today I am wanting to celebrate my 100^th day of thanksgiving with a special blog. 

When I started this project, I had been struggling with some depression.  I wanted to focus on positive things and recognize all the blessings that I have and to truly be thankful for those things.  This journey has been very successful!  My attitude has been so different these past 100 days.  I catch myself spending a large part of everyday looking for good things for which to give thanks.  It is one of the first things on my mind each morning and one of the last each night.  I look at the world through new eyes each day.  I may still get upset by things at times, but I don’t stay down…I’m too busy looking for things in which to rejoice.  It is a simple idea, one that the Bible is filled with, but I have failed so many times in the past to put it into practice in my life.

I’ve tried to “balance” my list between every area of my life.  One day I may post about something to do with my physical wellbeing or the wellbeing of loved ones.  The next day may be focused on a modern convenience or condition of society for which I am thankful.  So the next day I would look at a spiritual blessing or a relationship for which I’m thankful.  I want my thankfulness to be “well rounded,” incorporating each part of my life.  Some days it seem trivial; other days, deep.  I want to experience the fullness of joy that comes from being thankful for everything in life!

I want to thank those of you who have encouraged me along the way with your comments.  This project was primarily for my benefit…to teach me to be more thankful and more joyous.  But my secondary purpose was to hopefully encourage others to do the same.  I believe we all can use a little more joy in our lives, and I don’t think we can ever be too thankful!  I’m glad that some of you feel the same and have been inspired by this little project to focus more on the blessings in your life.  Your feedback has touched my heart and made the journey a little brighter.

So today, Day 100 of our little thanksgiving adventure, I am thankful for the changes that I’ve experienced in my life through this process.  We all have our challenges in life, our burdens to bear.  I’m thankful that by focusing more on my blessings that those challenges and burdens don’t have to drag me down.  I can still have joy in my life every single day.  THAT is worthy of thanksgiving!  I look forward to the next 265 days!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

Day 84

 I’ve been reading the book, “Twelve Years a Slave.”  I’m ashamed to admit that I never made it through to the end.  I struggle with reading certain styles of writing, and it was one of those.  So I gave in last night and watched the movie.  (WARNING:  This movie is NOT for everyone.  I had to fast-forward through several parts.  I understand the desire for realism, but is it REALLY necessary to include EVERYTHING?!  The book was written with dignity and decorum...I wish the movie had been made in the same context!) 

 This was a VERY difficult story to watch!  I think I had a look of anguish on my face throughout the whole movie and had to look away at times out of sheer horror (and I do not have a weak stomach).  This portion of our nation’s history is such a shameful time.  I've always tried to learn more  about it through literature and cinema.  I made my kids watch "Roots" when they were still young, so they would have some understanding of the evils of that period.  I had read that this movie was one of the most historically accurate renderings ever produced. While we were watching it, Ricky asked if I thought there were really very many people who treated their slaves so cruelly.    Yes, I sincerely believe there were.  (This WAS a true story, written by the man who experienced it.  I don't believe he embellished it at all.  His integrity shone throughout his writing.)  You look around at the world today and see so much “meanness” and selfishness.  Imagine how that would be amplified if people were given that kind of power over others…in a society that taught that certain people didn’t even have souls.  Even the “good” master selfishly turned his eye from the truth and allowed a free man to be bought and sold as chattel. 

 
So today, I am so very thankful that our society has outlawed this terrible evil.  I realize that some of the prejudices still exist.  I also realize that there is another brand of slavery that is present in this country, even though it is outlawed.  Cruelty and selfishness are alive and well, but at least it isn’t sanctioned by our government (in this context, anyway).

Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man be found who hath stolen one of his brethren of the children of Israel, and who hath treated him as a slave and sold him, that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from thy midst.

Day 80: Today I am thankful for the CPS workers, attorney-ad-litems and others who devote themselves to helping children.

Last week I posted about being thankful that our society looks after the well-being and safety of abused and neglected children.  Today I want to look at some of the people in that system. 

I had a very "interesting" day yesterday.  My new CASA case had a hearing scheduled at 9 a.m. in Weatherford.  This is my first case in Parker County, and things are done quite a bit differently over there than in Palo Pinto.  Before your cause number is called, the participants meet in the conference room to go over the case facts, review new information, etc.  In the meeting that was conducted on my case were the lawyers for both parents, the Attorney-ad-litem (the attorney appointed by the court to represent the child), the CPS investigators and their supervisor, plus myself.  I was struck by the concern exhibited by each and everyone of them for the child involved.

Let me explain a little about the process.  When a complaint comes in, CPS (which is actually DFPS in Texas - the Department of Family Protective Services) sends out a team of investigators, usually 2 people.  They try to determine what has happened, take pictures of the scene, and decide whether the circumstances warrant removal of the child(ren).  There is usually one investigator that takes the lead on the case and basically works as the caseworker during this initial part of the case.  They present a report to the court at the Adversary Hearing citing why the removal was necessary and requests that The Dept. be made Temporary Managing Conservator of the child(ren).  After the Adversary Hearing, the case is turned over to a CVS - conservatorship caseworker.   (This is a very simplified explanation.)

Back to my story:  after the hearing, the lead investigator was going to pick up the child from the foster home to bring back to the CPS office for a visit with each (biological) parent.  I like to be present to observe these visits, because it can give you a lot of insight into the relationship of the family by watching how they interact.  It was going to be about an hour and a half before the visit (due to travel time), so I asked if I could accompany her.  That would also allow me time to hear, first hand, her narrative of the events in the case...perhaps picking up a few more details than were in the report.  (CASAs receive copies of all reports filed by CPS.)  I am so thankful that I had that opportunity!  The investigator is a young woman who has been with CPS for a couple of years.  She has a love/hate relationship with her job, which I believe is probably pretty common.  You see so much of the ugliness of our society in a position such as that!  However, there are moments when you really feel like you are making a difference in helping change the life of a child...which makes the job seem bearable.  We had a wonderful visit during our drive.  I got to know her as a person (which I would have never had the opportunity to do otherwise), I got a better insight into the case, and I also had another opportunity to spend time with our little girl...win/win/win!

When we got back to the CPS office (with our precious cargo), the mother and child had an hour long visit.  The visits take place in a room filled with toys and have a one-way mirror which allows observation by the CPS caseworker, CASA, attorneys, etc.  This case has generated quite a bit of interest in the Dept., so we had several people drifting in and out...the case supervisor, the new CVS caseworker, and other caseworkers.  After the mother's visit was completed, the biological father had an hour long visit with the little girl.  His attorney stayed to observe most of the visit, as well.  (Believe me, the observation room can get pretty crowded at times!)  During all of the events of the day, I was continuously encouraged by the strong sense of caring for the little girl involved in the case.  Everyone's heart was touched by this adorable child, and everyone felt a strong desire to protect her and do everything they could to see that she will be placed in a safe and loving home. 

People tell me all the time that they don't see how I can do this "job."  All they can think about is the ugliness that necessitates it.  There is so much more to it than that!  I see beautiful, precious children that are amazingly resilient.  I see broken homes that are repaired.  I see caring professionals who dedicate their lives into protecting the innocent.  True, sometimes things don't work out well.  Sometimes the system fails.  Sometimes children are too broken and things don't end well for them.  It takes a toll on everyone.  The turnover rate for CPS workers is phenomenal!  But when the day is done, I mostly see a community of people who work together to make the life of an endangered child better.  For that, I am very thankful!

Jeremiah 22:3 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.