One of the favorite lunch meals for children at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is the "walking taco." For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a walking taco starts with a personal-sized bag of tortilla chips. You crunch the bag to break the chips into small pieces, then open the bag and add taco meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, and possibly sour cream or guacamole. The gastronomical delight is eaten right out of the bag with a fork. Sort of a taco salad, but funkier. "Walking taco" is a fun name.
Because, well, everyone loves a taco.
When Chaplain Rick Jones chose to call out National Taco Day in his daily devotion on October 4th, he shared a great lesson on perspective. Children who come to the Ranch do not always appreciate the hard work involved with healing, or the accountability of school. They struggle to accept, and I've said so many times, they struggle to trust. That weighs heavy on our good staff. The work of the Ranch is rewarding work, but it is hard work. Chaplain Rick's message lifts the spirits, not only for Ranch work, but also for the hard work of family, friendship, and community.
From Chaplain Rick, October 4, 2020:
"I recently learned that today, October 4th, is a wonderfully delicious holiday. Today is National Taco Day. The theme of today reminded me of a modern adage: "You can't please everyone; you're not a taco."
Despite our best efforts and our good intentions, we can never be as perfect as a taco. There will always be someone who does not appreciate everything we are doing for them. There will inevitably be someone who refuses to be satisfied. That does not mean we do not try to please people with the services we provide and the care we offer. On the contrary, we pour ourselves into our work as the Apostle Paul does in our passage from 1 Corinthians. We “try to please everyone in every way.”
Other people’s reception of your efforts is not your responsibility. So if someone responds to your work with negativity, please remember that is not your fault and it does not need to frustrate you. Instead take joy in the work you are doing, knowing that you are serving people with the gifts God has given you. Despite how it is received, your care of others is God’s grace being offered to them through you. You are an instrument of God’s love. Take joy in that and enjoy a taco."
Yummy advice!
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
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