who’s caring for the carers?

Why, hello, friends. Hope you are having a fantastic Tuesday. I don’t know why I’m feeling particularly chipper today. Yesterday was emotionally exhausting. Maybe I’ll tell you about it, but not today. Today let’s talk about some behind the scenes goings on that’s been happening the past several months. I say behind the scenes, because I haven’t much discussed it here.  If you’re interested in what in the world Jen Price is up to besides family and crafting, then let’s dive it together, shall we?

I’ve just come out of a month long mini sabbatical. The purpose was to figure out, with God, what this next season of my life is supposed to look like. I stepped out of running the accounting, because it was time. It was probably overdue, but nevertheless it finally happened. Instead of diving right into something else, I took a month to seek God and get some direction.

He gave it to me by taking me back to a simple question that two different people asked us eight years ago when we moved to S. Africa.

Who’s caring for the carers?

When there’s children to feed, homes to be built, and lives to save, it’s easy to forget the simple act of just caring for those doing all the feeding, building, and saving. I’ve never forgotten that question. It’s like it has stayed at the back of mind, creating a nice little home there. It’s not leaving, so it’s time I embrace it.

I think the only reason it’s taken me this long to embrace it is that it’s not as glamorous as going and holding beautiful babies every single day. It’s not something that’s easy to write about in a newsletter, but it’s who I am, so I’m diving in. I’m embracing the “non-glamorous.”

Which means what?

I thought and prayed long and hard about my flavor of caring for people. What does it look like? When I look at the definition of equip (supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose or task), I realize that they could have just entered my name there. My mind thinks like an equipper. I love helping people see what they need to do their job with excellence and succeed. This looks like meetings with people, writing out lists, categorizing, and helping people make a plan that works for them. That’s one aspect.

The second flavor of me caring for people looks like hosting special events. I’ve posted the events we’ve put on. Truth is, I love it. I love the gathering of ideas, the prep, seeing the lightness that happens deep down in the soul from simply coming together and having fun. It’s needed.

Basically my days are filled with connecting with people, browsing Pinterest for ideas on the next party (you should see what we’re planning), and being a mama. It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself and who you are. You don’t arrive with age. There’s always more hidden in the depths if we’re willing to seek it out.

PS: When you don’t have a photo that fits with a post, just insert flowers. It works.