Lessons from St. Margaret's House

So this past Thursday I completed my 8-week Pastoral Leadership Practicum Internship at St. Margaret's House. How quick time flies!

This experience touched me deeply and gave me a lot to think about. I am so glad that I signed up for this - even though I was quite hestitant at the outset about it.

Here's a list of some things that I learned from my time there:

* Not all poor people are poorly educated. Some have college degrees, but they're out of luck, or have mental illness, drug addictions, etc. that get in the way of them actualizing their potentialities.

* I have never been more aware of my race and white-privilege as I was working at St. Margaret's House.

* Some of the most spiritual people I know struggle with drug or alcohol addiction.

* Women in poverty who have children in the correctional system sometimes are displaced from their children and have no way to see them for 2, 3, 4, 5 years at a time.

* While most of society looks down on un-wed pregnancy to a mother in poverty- sometimes a child is the most joy that a woman in poverty has in her life and they will attest that life - regardless of the circumstances - is a precious gift.

* homeless people - even ones with mental illness, and who might seem a bit weird - are still human beings who need food, a safe place to get out of the storm, and a listening ear, acceptance, and love.

* saying No is sometimes the most loving thing that you can say.

* It's so much better / easier after you just say No. It's before you say it that it's stressful.

* People on entirely different ends of the spectrum can work together toward a common goal and accomplish great things if they're willing to give it a chance.

* sometimes the best thing you can offer is a smile, a hug, or a listening ear.

* lots more to come....

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