I met with a small group of adults who contacted me about volunteering at Welcome Home. After an introduction to our ministry, I launched into a series of opportunities that we had for them to choose from. I was met with blank stares. I stewed over it as I walked home that evening, and again as I walked back to work the next morning, and came to the realization that I'd made assumptions- that I was at least 6 steps ahead of this group!
I met with a colleague who was going to give me some constructive criticism for one of my projects, and was praying for an open mind. Halfway through our respective cups of tea, I realized that we had different agendas for our conversation. That I was talking to someone who was interested in volunteering!
I co-led an English Cafe last evening, and was delighted to meet 3 new participants. I patted myself on the back as I asked what they hoped to gain from our time together (which surprisingly was as much about friendship as it was about learning English). Not many minutes later, though, I asked the Japanese young man if he was a refugee. He graciously corrected my assumption. Maybe I've been working with refugees for so long that any newcomer learning English looks like a refugee to me?
Walking home afterwards, I could at least laugh at myself. God and I will keep plugging away, with plenty of grace to go around.