Work: 8 things I [don't] hate about you

In honor of my eight month of anniversary of "real world" full-time Qualcommer status, i thought it fitting to share eight lessons I've learned since joining the workforce at 40+ hours a week (mm yum).

1. My worth is not found in my accomplishments. God doesn't love me any more or any less because I meet my deadlines, because I manage sprints well or because I possess large amounts of knowledge about technology. God's love is unchanging, and really quite undeserving all-together. Good day or bad day, employed or not -- I'm still Jessica McLeod, His beloved.
2. Life is about relationships/community. Life isn't about sitting in your office alone all day long. Life is about getting to know people, really getting to know people. Life is about helping each other, communicating and learning from each other. Life is about serving others and loving on them. Human interaction is important, even necessary, and above that, it's part of God's desire for us.
3. Meeting Jesus face-to-face is a big deal. Before joining the business world, I don't think this hit me with such force. But now, knowing how surprisingly (and almost annoyingly) exhilarating it is to cross paths with a Senior Director, or catch a glance at a VP... I start to tremble at the thought of meeting Jesus face-to-face. It makes me giddy with excitement to think of standing in the presence of the holy God.
4. Balance is key. When I first started working full-time, I felt like work consumed my life. I had gotten so used to juggling school, friends, work, family, softball, etc. that I felt like a lopsided soul with most of my time spent at work. I've since learned how to bring balance back into my life little by little, and it's so fulfilling.
5. God is faithful. My top two fears have always been A) Heights B) Failure (specifically with regards to motherhood and paying my bills). God has been so faithful to provide for me financially that I'm starting to wonder why I even had this fear in the first place. Graduating from college and having not only a well-paying full time job, but also a second contributor to the bills (enter: Husband) has made the transition far smoother than it had to be.
6. There's more to "me" than meets the eye. Working at a desk job has given me a little time to think about who I am, what my goals are, what I love and what I'm good at. This job has spurred me to listen to my inner voice, the quiet voice of the Spirit.
7. Commuting sucks. Commuting with your Creator is sacred. The thought of commuting is a rather dreadful one. Sitting in stop&go traffic alone for an hour and a half each day is not my idea of fun. But then I remembered I'm not alone. And an hour and half didn't seem long enough.
8. I'm an anticipatory creature. AKA it's important for me to have something to look forward too. When I was in school, I always looked forward to different events: weekend plans, breaks from school, softball practice, etc. With work, it all just seemed a little monotonous, especially after the wedding planning ceased. Solution: plan mini trips and other little things to get excited about even if it's just a cup of tea on a Monday morning. This new pattern for me has transformed my outlook on life and has even helped me related to the Israelites as they waited anxiously for the Messiah.

"I hope it will be obvious that my reflections are not the creation of an independent mind, but the fruit of a tree planted firmly in the soil of constant meditation on the Word of God." - John Piper