the flow<\\/h3>\\n* *\* *The Supervisor just began to flow with nothing short of a word of encouragement<\\/em>, and eventually declared:<\\/p>\\n \\u201cIf I\\u2019m thinking about \\u2018shoulds\\u2019 I should\\u2019ve done then it leads to depression because that\\u2019s back there. You can\\u2019t change your past because they haven\\u2019t invented time travel yet. You can only change your future, so for me each new day is full of new hopes.\\u201d Rachelle, Supervisor, JCPenney<\\/a><\\/span><\\/p>\\n \"\" Elina Fairytale | life is now neon signage | 01.24.20 | pexels<\\/em><\\/figcaption><\\/figure>\\n we boast in our hope\\u2026 and character produces hope,\\u00a0<\\/span><\\/em>and hope does not disappoint us<\\/em> (see Romans 5.1-5<\\/a>)<\\/span><\\/p>\\n In line with Rachelle\\u2019s word of hope, I post the Scripture on \\u201chope\\u201d from Romans now as an afterthought.<\\/p>\\n However, in the moment with the Supervisor, I had nothing to add. She had spoken something like an axiom<\\/em>, a truth that stands alone on its own.<\\/p>\\n I was so impressed, I posted her quote all over my social networks. She seemed surprised that I had posted it and asked if she could take a picture of my Instagram post right off of my phone. She showed another Supervisor who read the quote out loud. Rachelle said, \\u201cThose are my words. You\\u2019re going to make me famous.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n \\u201cshoulds\\u201d and \\u201cmusts\\u201d are out<\\/h3>\\n*** *\* In my first masters degree in educational counseling, the other students and I were constantly warned not to use \\u201cshoulds\\u201d and \\u201cmusts.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n *\* The reasoning was the same as what the Supervisor expressed. If a counselor says \\u201cyou should<\\/em> have\\u2026\\u201d or \\u201cyou must<\\/em> do\\u2026\\u201d then it automatically triggers negative reactions in the client.<\\/p>\\n *\* If a list of shoulds and musts is allowed in the counseling setting, it can lead to frustration for the client, possibly anxiety, and even depression as Rachelle confessed.<\\/p>\\n *\* In a Biblical sense, shoulds and musts are not the invitation of the Spirit through His gentle, persuasive conviction<\\/em>. Quite the contrary, shoulds and musts evoke a sense of condemnation<\\/em>, a tool God never uses.<\\/p>\\n *\* timeless words on hope<\\/h3>\\n *\* Some words are timeless and deserve to be shared for contemplation and spiritual formation.<\\/p>\\n *\* God speaks in various ways and through all types of people in His Holy Writ<\\/em>.<\\/p>\\n *\* I\\u2019m ever developing a listening ear, not only on Sundays and Wednesday nights, but also all throughout the week.<\\/p>\\n *\* Come here. You\\u2019re okay!<\\/h3>\\n *\* The Supervisor sensed my deeper question and answered it.<\\/p>\\n *\* Wednesday night in the crowded church lobby, I walked passed the children\\u2019s check in station on the way to the group I am currently leading.<\\/p>\\n *\* I saw a young boy look to one of the volunteer children\\u2019s workers with a look of angst.<\\/p>\\n *\* I don\\u2019t know what was wrong with the kid, but the volunteer called him over.<\\/p>\\n *\* She took a look at him and said, \\u201cCome here.\\u201d She quickly assessed his situation and said, \\u201cYou\\u2019re okay!\\u201d<\\/p>\\n *\* He checked in, but he needed to be checked out by an expert.<\\/p>\\n *\* ***Every once in awhile after bad things happen we all need to hear something like, \\u201cCome here. You\\u2019re okay.\\u201d<\\/p>\\n

{"id":20696,"date":"2023-09-14T12:57:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T16:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jaredingle\/?p=20696"},"modified":"2023-09-14T13:56:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T17:56:57","slug":"a-word-on-hope-from-a-surprising-source","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jaredingle\/2023\/09\/a-word-on-hope-from-a-surprising-source\/","title":{"rendered":"A Word on Hope From a Surprising Source"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

A Word on Hope From a Surprising Source<\/em><\/p>\n

Recently, I was in a discussion with a Supervisor at work about current work opportunities, professional development, and advancement.<\/p>\n

I normally count it an honor to speak to a Supervisor candidly, and even more of an honor whenever one takes the time to share nuggets of wisdom.<\/p>\n

These people are busy. Every moment counts when they\u2019re on the clock.<\/p>\n

However, the corporate culture must hold onto relationship-building as a core value, because I have been amazed at the moments in time Supervisors have opened up and shared with me. The company still values and teaches the Golden Rule<\/em> as part of the new trainee onboarding program: Do unto others as you want them to do to you<\/em> (see also Matthew 7.12<\/a>).<\/p>\n

I\u2019m honored, grateful, and often amazed at the wisdom they share.<\/p>\n

In the recent conversation with a Supervisor about current work opportunities, professional development, and advancement our conversation shifted to past work regrets and missed opportunities.
\nWhat if it would have turned out another way sooner?
\nWhat if I could have done more?<\/p>\n

the flow<\/h3>\n ** The Supervisor just began to flow with nothing short of a word of encouragement<\/em>, and eventually declared:<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019m thinking about \u2018shoulds\u2019 I should\u2019ve done then it leads to depression because that\u2019s back there. You can\u2019t change your past because they haven\u2019t invented time travel yet. You can only change your future, so for me each new day is full of new hopes.\u201d Rachelle, Supervisor, JCPenney<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Elina Fairytale | life is now neon signage | 01.24.20 | pexels<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n we boast in our hope\u2026 and character produces hope,\u00a0<\/span><\/em>and hope does not disappoint us<\/em> (see Romans 5.1-5<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n In line with Rachelle\u2019s word of hope, I post the Scripture on \u201chope\u201d from Romans now as an afterthought.<\/p>\n However, in the moment with the Supervisor, I had nothing to add. She had spoken something like an axiom<\/em>, a truth that stands alone on its own.<\/p>\n I was so impressed, I posted her quote all over my social networks. She seemed surprised that I had posted it and asked if she could take a picture of my Instagram post right off of my phone. She showed another Supervisor who read the quote out loud. Rachelle said, \u201cThose are my words. You\u2019re going to make me famous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cshoulds\u201d and \u201cmusts\u201d are out<\/h3>\n* In my first masters degree in educational counseling, the other students and I were constantly warned not to use \u201cshoulds\u201d and \u201cmusts.\u201d<\/p>\n The reasoning was the same as what the Supervisor expressed. If a counselor says \u201cyou should<\/em> have\u2026\u201d or \u201cyou must<\/em> do\u2026\u201d then it automatically triggers negative reactions in the client.<\/p>\n If a list of shoulds and musts is allowed in the counseling setting, it can lead to frustration for the client, possibly anxiety, and even depression as Rachelle confessed.<\/p>\n In a Biblical sense, shoulds and musts are not the invitation of the Spirit through His gentle, persuasive conviction<\/em>. Quite the contrary, shoulds and musts evoke a sense of condemnation<\/em>, a tool God never uses.<\/p>\n timeless words on hope<\/h3>\n Some words are timeless and deserve to be shared for contemplation and spiritual formation.<\/p>\n God speaks in various ways and through all types of people in His Holy Writ<\/em>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m ever developing a listening ear, not only on Sundays and Wednesday nights, but also all throughout the week.<\/p>\n Come here. You\u2019re okay!<\/h3>\n The Supervisor sensed my deeper question and answered it.<\/p>\n Wednesday night in the crowded church lobby, I walked passed the children\u2019s check in station on the way to the group I am currently leading.<\/p>\n I saw a young boy look to one of the volunteer children\u2019s workers with a look of angst.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know what was wrong with the kid, but the volunteer called him over.<\/p>\n She took a look at him and said, \u201cCome here.\u201d She quickly assessed his situation and said, \u201cYou\u2019re okay!\u201d<\/p>\n He checked in, but he needed to be checked out by an expert.<\/p>\n *Every once in awhile after bad things happen we all need to hear something like, \u201cCome here. You\u2019re okay.\u201d<\/p>\n