Resources for Working Women

God has called each of us to different places.  For me, He has called me to work in Corporate America at Private Healthcare Systems.  It's a juggling act keeping all of my priorities in place.  This page will serve as a resource of ideas to help you keep your balance.

Bible Study at Work
At my current and my last company, I have been a participant in a lunchtime Bible Study. We book a conference room for a standing lunchtime meeting and use the hour to study and pray for one another. I've found that the best way to attract new people is through networking. Often the Christians in the company know one another.

Resources:
Marketplace Network
We used their materials 30 Moments Christians Face in the Workplace and found it to be a very practical study. They are a workplace focused ministry.

Northeast Christians at Work
Drew Crandall runs this, and is a wealth on resources. He promotes Joy at Work and actually has a week dedicated to this.

Salt on the Net
This is a group of Christian writers, and their mission is to "Bring the word of God, from the Bible, to business people around the world." There are devotions, as well as a searchable index of Bible Studies currently running at work. Who knows? There may be a group running down the hall in your office!

Keeping it in Perspective
This is a devotional that came across my e-mail recently, and there's such good perspective in here, I wanted to include it.

Creativity
Ever get stuck when you're trying to come up with a new idea for something? I found this great resource for creativity. When you're at an impasse, use this to help you think out of the box. It's from the folks at Innovation Network. Check it out.

Every year on March 19th we celebrate St. Joseph's Day in Rhode Island. I took the opportunity to use it as a Bridge Builder for my co-workers in Massachusetts. Here's how.

Advice
My key piece of advice is that you put first things first: Jesus, then family, then job. Yes, we serve in a ministry, in a sense, on our jobs, but we cannot minister effectively unless we are connected to the vine.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ...This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:5, 8

This is an interesting poem that helps me keep my faith in perspective in the workplace. Someone sent it to me from a post on a Christian bulletin board at Daily Joy.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I was lost";
That is why I chose this way.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble,
And need someone to be my guide .

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak,
And pray for strength to carry on.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed,
And cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches,
Which is why I speak His name.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority;
I only know I am loved.

by Carol Wimmer

A Prayer for Daily Focus
Every so often someone sends you something great as an internet forward. This one came from our church secretary, Natasha Mobray, with annomyous authorship, but a great message. This one is worth hanging up in the cube:

    Prayer Before Starting Work

    My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work place,
    I bring Your presence with me.
    I speak Your grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order into this office.
    I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.
    Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have Blessed me with.
    I commit to using them responsibly in Your honor.
    Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.
    Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.

    Lord, when I am confused, guide me.
    When I am weary, energize me.
    When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.
    May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.
    And oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy.
    Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.

    Lord, I thank You for everything You’ve done, everything You’re doing, and everything You’re going to do.

    In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and Thanksgiving… Amen.