Circle of support, part 3
So far, the two people I’ve described are in my circle of support because I pay them to be.
This person I don’t pay.
He knows my work. He knows the “industry” in which I work and has been able to advise and mentor me in navigating the political aspects of these trickier than usual workplaces (religious institutions.) He has stood by me when others’ criticism was unfair and unfounded. And he has gently and with love given feedback that felt like criticism, but that I needed to hear in order to grow. Sometimes, he has played the father role, even though neither of us probably knew it at the time. He has not babied me or enabled me but challenged me to stand up and use my gifts. He has affirmed my intuition, my articulateness, my intelligence, my impatience, my creativity, my empathy. He has heard about my kids, my marriage, my divorce and all my work lives. He is able to discuss with me on a theological, psychological and practical level the questions I have about those areas. (He hasn’t yet heard about my return to dating…)
He has extended his forgiveness when I’ve messed up. He has told me that I’m worthy and good enough to be loved and forgiven and in relationship with people, even when (especially when) I was sure it wasn’t true. He has seen me sob uncontrollably in grief over my marriage. He has walked with me through what I thought would end my life’s work and shown me a path through…or at least helped me find my path through.
He combines pastoral care with mentor-ship with friendship in a way that has made it possible for me to survive. KO has done all this for almost seven years now.
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
