I’m not sure about this whole debrief thing. We do it every month and sometimes I feel like not all of us need it. Maybe it’s because I thrive on change; maybe it’s because I’m not a “feeler”; maybe it’s because I believe I work through my junk when it’s happening, not four weeks later. Whatever it is for me, it makes these couple of days difficult. I get stir-crazy, yet also private and isolated. We are usually prompted to answer some personal assessment questions; we typically have a time for worship; and we also are in sessions that help us verbalize to the group different things we are discovering and how the year is going for us. There is certainly nothing wrong with any of these things, and in fact, they should be helpful…but like I said—I get stir-crazy. We get to our ministry country and I just want to get out there and start our “ministry.”
This debrief has treated me a bit differently, though. I am less stressed and more tuned into what is going on around me. I am less anxious and more attentive to what we are learning. This “debrief” for me has been more of a “decompression.” I am feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. It is has been a time that I am re-realizing how blessed and honored I am to be doing what I am. What did I do right by God to deserve this opportunity? The truth is, I didn’t do anything, but for some reason He believes in me. It’s nice to know He sees the big picture and wants me in on it.
