The Best Gift

December 20, 2011 in Inspiration, People with 4 Comments

 

At this time of year, it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of consumeritis. To get frustrated in mall parking lots.  To grumble about the small (or nonexistent) company Christmas bonus. To wonder why there were less cards in the mailbox this year.

I think there are four little actions we can take to combat all this noise:

1. Spread Joy-Smile at a stranger. Surprise your checker at the grocery store with a happy “Merry Christmas”. Hug your friends.  Be radical and swim against the current of tedium that can easily overcome the holidays.

2. Choose to Forgive-Most of us will end up cooped up with family over the next two weeks.  Are it’s most likely there’s someone in the room who has hurt us. Choose to let it go.  And if you’ve done the harm, say two little words that mean everything: “I’m sorry.” If not for them, do it for you.  The weight of resentment and unforgiveness is so heavy.  Free yourself from those chains.

3. Give Until It Hurts-That’s not “spend until you’re broke.”  There are things we can give of through our time and resources that can be life-changing for another.  Pay for a grocery bill. Stop by the neighbor’s house and fix the garage door. Take two hours and fill five boxes with good things you have lying around the house that could help a homeless person. When the giving hurts a bit, the reward is so much sweeter.  Kinda like paying for college yourself.

4. Speak Life-There are people all around us carrying huge burdens, especially at this time of year. Spouses hiding the fact that they are separated, but “playing house” for their families. Parents who can’t afford Christmas for their kids. Friends grieving a lost loved one. Sometimes, it’s enough just for people to know that you See them. That you support them. And that you pray for them.

God, in His infinite wisdom, made these acts of kindness feel so good to us that it’s almost as if we benefit more than the recipient. This year, let’s BE CHRISTmas to a world in need of light and laughter.

What do you do to make Christmas special?

P.S. What do you think of my spruced up new blog?  Shout out to the wonderful Jamie Rowe for working his magic.

 

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In Need of a Little Perspective

February 16, 2011 in Inspiration, Leadership, Work with 6 Comments

As many of you know, one of my all-time favorite books is The Noticer, by Andy Andrews.  In it, Andy shares about experiences with a mysterious man (I’d say angel) named Jones…known for being able to offer fresh perspective on life.  I’ve read the book five times, and each time, I get something new out of it.  I love how God uses the power of story to teach us lessons.

Lately, I’ve been challenged by a few issues and needed some fresh perspective. I spent time with one of my mentors and walked away from that discussion with a whole new outlook on things.  Here are a few of my takeaways from that much-needed conversation:

1. Never, ever underestimate your power in encouraging others-We know the power of community.  The power of prayer. The power of faith.  But we often forget the power of an encouraging word.  Life was spoken into me when I heard “there is no one more capable of fixing this situation than you.”  Having people in our corner isn’t only wonderful–it’s necessary. A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else believed in them.

2. Be willing to learn-When we begin to struggle with a situation, there’s usually something involved where we don’t want to give in, don’t want to let go, or are unwilling to see the other side.  When I saw how I can learn not just one thing, but several things, my whole attitude changed because I’m not losing…I am actually gaining, as long as I’m willing to look for the lessons.

3. We can’t base our self-assurance on the whims others- Ever feel like you go around the Same mountain over and over (and over) again?  I don’t consider myself a people-pleaser, but I do need to have wins, and do fall prey to caring too much what others think (and judging my actions too carefully). Carrying the weight of our own expectations can be exhausting.   It’s so much easier when we remind ourselves that God is our strong tower. Our provider. And that He has a plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11

4. Be thankful, even on the hard days-Isn’t it amazing how being thankful for the good things in our lives helps overshadow the tough patches?  Even on my worst days, I still have a job that I love, a roof over my head, friends and family who keep me grounded, and a Father who adores me.  We are truly blessed.

What thoughts do you run back to when a little perspective is needed?

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The Power of Letting Go

February 3, 2011 in Inspiration, Leadership, People with 8 Comments

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. -Mark Twain

Life can sometimes be brutal.  I’ve felt the sting of too many kicks this week.  And at some point along the way, I got angry.  Why was everything happening at once?  Why was the work I was putting in seemingly never enough?  Why does there have to be tension?

God, in His wisdom, gives us each a “breaking point”…the inner battle that tells us we must “Let Go and Let God.”  Hot tears stung my cheeks as I hit my own breaking point and realized that the only way I was going to make it through this was to do both.  How merciful is our Lord that even in our weakness, He reminds us He is strong.  In those moments of relinquishing my need for control, God reminded me of these things:

The goal is not to make everyone happy-Far too often, I fall in the pit of trying to get everything done and keeping everyone happy.  Not only is it impossible, but our role in life is a far higher calling than burning daylight striving for the approval of people.  If  we are serving Him well, the rest more easily falls into place.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving in-In our desire to be right, we can lose sight of what’s most important.  This week, letting go of some things, even when I haven’t fully agreed, made more sense than trying to prove a point.  Sometimes “Okay” is the smartest word we can use.

Saying “I’m Sorry” covers a multitude of sins-There are times when it’s hard to apologize.  We feel wronged or slighted, and the last thing we want to do is say “I’m sorry.”  But there’s so much power in those two little words.  They erase tension, breathe fresh air into discussions, and open the door to reconnection.  I found myself apologizing today…it was needed to get things back on track and as soon as I uttered them, I felt better and so did the other person.

I fight the need for control of…well, everything in my life…fairly often.  But God continues to show me the power of letting go.

Question: When life is knocking you down, how do you fight back?

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Helping “the least of these”

January 20, 2011 in Outreach, People with 11 Comments

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Matt 25:40

Every morning for the past few weeks, as I’ve gotten in the shower, it comes to mind how easy it is to access water.  A turn of one dial sends clean, cool water gushing out.  In the evenings, I walk into a warm, clean, spacious home where I can open one door and find a feast of things to cook for dinner. I can visit any kind of doctor with little concern about cost because of insurance.  And I can hop in my car and drive anywhere on a whim.  What it all means is that Life has become easy, and it’s in the ease of life that I find my struggle lately.

Each day, I drive past a lottery billboard…the numbers make my heart ache. Those millions could end homelessness.  Eradicate disease. Make poverty a thing of the past.  It seems so easy.  But easy isn’t usually where the lesson comes from, is it?

Even with the sponsored children, time and donations to the mission, and Christmas gifts of goats and new wells, my investment seems small.  I know that joined together, we can do much.  Community is so important in relationships…in work settings…in helping the least of these.

What charity/relief organizations are you plugged into that I (and others) might not be aware of?  And how can we help?

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