For the last seven years, Dad and I have worked the polls on Election Day…Typically, it’s once in the Spring and once in the Fall. For the majority of the time, we’ve been at one location with the same people. We’ve got the election down to a science. Set up and tear down are seamless. Everyone has a job and just goes about doing it without words.
The day goes by almost like a dance. Everyone taking their turn doing different jobs; processing voters, directing traffic, handing out stickers, etc. We talk, we laugh, and we share. A few of us will bring crockpots full of easy-to-grab, quick-to-eat foods or cookies, and we have a little potluck that we can run to throughout the day.
For this past election, some things were moved around and as a result, Dad and I were moved to a brand new location. After some back and forth and an assurance that the higher-ups would mark our original location on our files for the next election it became clear that Dad and I were needed at this new location. And I was nervous. I had never been to this location, never worked with these people, and selfishly I missed my potluck. I craved the comfort of knowing exactly what to expect.
Election Day came, and you know what? It wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared.
In all honesty, the day wasn’t perfect, it had it’s challenges, and it was different. But it wasn’t bad. I had fun, learned a lot, and I stretched outside my comfort zone a little bit. Granted, I still missed working with “my” people but I think in a LOT of ways this was good for me. And I’m thankful for the opportunity.
But you know what’s funny? EVERY single time I have the opportunity to try something new I usually dread it. I spend weeks thinking about it from every conceivable angle and hashing out every possible what-if. Thinking of every single way that this opportunity could be awful. And you know what? 99.99% of the time the opportunity comes and goes and I actually ENJOY it! Sure, usually it’s not picture perfect and not everything is peachy keen but it’s good. I have fun, I learn something new and I end up asking why I was ever so stressed out in the first place.
Maybe one of these days, it’ll finally click that I don’t need to be so stressed out about all the unknowns in life. Partly because this kind of scenario happens all time but also because God’s got this.
I don’t mean that in a good-Christian-answer kind of way. I mean that practically. On Tuesday, God showed up and I almost missed it because I was so worried!
Like the way we got into the building and got the outside stuff set up minutes before it started downpouring. Yes, it rained on and off all day long but the severe weather that was forecasted turned out to be a small, rather insignificant Spring Thunderstorm. Or the way that I was able to get a picture of a rainbow just outside the door. And a million other little things just like that.
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
~Deutronomy 31:8
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
