Will I Ever Wear a White Shirt Again?

America the Beautiful...

Maybe I have lived too many places where people from all over the world have come to make America their home.

Maybe it's because of my roommate in college who came and shared her culture and language with me while learning about our culture and language as she was getting a wonderful education in America.

Maybe it's because of the man I met this fall at a yard sale who came with his wife after surviving his time in a Nazi concentration camp. After over fifty years in America, his accent is so strong, but he had an opportunity to live here.

Maybe it's because God is indeed growing my heart for the nations--one day I will sing with people from all over the world to my amazing God!

Maybe it's because I understand the history of our country--that there were people here before us who didn't/don't speak english and we are built on people coming from all over the world to pursue dreams, education, and opportunity. They have unique backgrounds. They have unique languages. And yet they can come to America and make a home.

Maybe I have not lived enough to fully understand the weight of this ad, but it actually made me proud to be an American. It is my home. And, it is the home to so many people who are different than me!

 

I cannot imagine the streets of Seattle or New York or Boston or SanFrancisco without the influence of cultures from all over the world. I cannot imagine my daughter's classroom without the diversity and opportunity to live with people from different parts of the world. Isn't that what our country is all about?!?! What an honor to be a country where people from all over the world want to come! Let's embrace it!

I realize our country is not perfect. I realize that some people take advantage of the freedoms and opportunities in our country. I realize some things are changing. I realize things will happen in our country that I do not agree with. I understand that God is not always honored by the choices people here make. But, I am so proud to be an American. I am so thankful that God allowed me to be born where I was born and when I was born. I am thankful for those who have fought and kept my freedom alive. I am thankful for those who have paved the road for the world to actually come to us!

So, now I must respond! How can I love these people? How can I learn about others and share Jesus with them? How can I make sure they are singing about more than America being beautiful but about Jesus being beautiful? We must each choose how we will respond to the people around us and the place we find ourselves. I am going to choose to see how I can show Jesus to the people around me. I am going to find ways to point people to Jesus, the one who created all of us and the only one who can lead us to our Heavenly Father.

Everybody wants to come to America! This ad from Coca-Cola presents the hopes and promises our country offers. As Christ followers, let's not be offended. Instead, let's show them the King of the eternal Melting Pot (which is actually more like a salad bowl).

Monday Question...

What conversations am I avoiding with God because I am afraid of interrupting the life I am currently living? This is a question I am always trying to ask because I can almost always come to a question I have been avoiding, something He has been directing me towards and I simply keep turning away.

God has been molding my heart on a few simple topics lately. I love ongoing conversations with Him. First, it keeps our relationship fresh. Can you imagine going on a date with your spouse and always avoiding conversations with substantial content? A "How is the Weather" marriage rarely flourishes. In the same way, God longs to engage with us on big things. He longs to draw us closer to Himself. He longs to show the world just how big He is through our lives! He longs to use us to change the world--to make His name known. Secondly, I think we see a lot more fruit when we are consistently engaging with our Heavenly Father...not listing off our needs, not asking for constant forgiveness, but opening our hearts and minds to the amazing things He wants to show us!

Sometimes He asks us to do things that seem big and sometimes they seem small. But, I have no doubt that He is going to bring Himself glory through our circumstances.

So, what conversation is God longing to have with you? Ask Him. He will get it started!

Teamwork...

There is just something wonderful about being a part of a team. There are all sorts of teams out there from sports teams, to family teams, to teams that work on a short term project or event, and teams that stay together for the long haul.

Here are some things that I think make a team great & ultimately successful:

1. Likemindedness -- that does not mean everyone has the same thoughts or ideas; it means that we are all headed in the same direction & we will not let anything that hinders our ultimate purpose get in the way. I am sure you have been on teams where you experienced this. And, I am sure you have been on teams where one person (or maybe more) just didn't get it (that equals "ZERO FUN SIR!"). Our Lakeland Egg Drop team met last night. I left feeling energized rather than drained. I think it is because we were likeminded in terms of what the wins were & who we were ultimately trying to reach. When the big things are understood by everyone, the little things don't seem to matter as much!

2. Sharing the Vision -- you know you are on a great team, when people understand the vision and purpose & they cannot help but share it! Sometimes they are sharing it intentionally by talking to others and sharing stories or inviting them to be a part of it. And, sometimes the vision gets shared unintentionally because they are becoming so passionate about what they are apart of! It is one thing for a group of people to catch the vision. It is an entirely different thing when it becomes so second-nature to a group of people that they begin sharing the vision. It is so fun to watch! I think our Family Ministry Team is on the brink of sharing the vision!

3. The Heart is Encouraged -- when you are on a great team you feel valued. When you are on a great team you know you are cared for beyond what you can simply offer the team! When you are on a team and your heart is being encouraged, it really begins to feel like family. That is why this part of a great team can take time. Well, at least for me it takes time. Sometimes I don't even put enough of myself out there at the start to allow for anyone to care for me. So, when I feel a team I am on moving to this level, I get really excited. I must be experiencing real community. I must be intentionally investing in people!

What teams are you on right now? Are they healthy & exciting environments? How can you add value to your team by helping the team focus on the goal, share the vision, or encourage someone's heart today?

No Needle & Thread Here...

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by what I think I should be. Sometimes I feel guilty for what I am not doing. Sometimes I feel the need to collect things I don't. Sometimes I worry because I don't have a side to go with the entree. Sometimes I am disappointed because I don't have the right shoes or belt. Sometimes I feel completely disastrous compared to other women around me.

But I am just not these things. I am not creative. I am not going to have the cutest house or wardrobe. I am probably not even (this could be the end of some friendships) going to do more than one small group or Bible study at a time!!! And, as much as it might bother some, I may make it through my entire life without a needle and thread in my house!

I am just simple. It just means I do things differently than you sometimes. It just means that I don't care about some things as much as I think I do sometimes....even when I try to care! As much as I try and give in to the world of glamour, glitter, trendiness, and more, I just can't do it. I end up getting more overwhelmed when I try!

I am just trying to do a few things well & that's enough for me. And, I will just try and enjoy that world through my creative, cute, and clever friends!!! I am so thankful for friends who are different than me & who can sew a button on!

I read a blog recently that relieved some of this tension in my life. I would like to share it with you! Read & Enjoy!

Do you have something that you keep telling yourself you will be great at one day? What's one thing you are always trying to change about yourself?

Modeling the Way...

I have started to talk to Peyton more lately about how she can be a leader in our family. She is the oldest. And, honestly, she usually makes the right decision in situations. Therefore she thinks she is the leader. She thinks she is the boss. And, she always says she will be in control.

So, I have started to challenge her to think about leadership from a different perspective. I have talked to her about modeling the way rather than controlling. I think that real leadership is modeling what we want from other people. If she wants to teach her sisters how to value each other, she should model that in the way she treats them. If she wants to teach her sisters to share, she should model generosity.

So, what does this look like for me as a leader?

I believe modeling the way works well in all stages of life. Think about the people you follow. Okay, now think about the people you enjoy following. Most likely it is because they are modeling something well for you. Maybe they are a great boss at work--maybe they model excellence, drive, investment, and dedication. Maybe you follow someone who has a great marriage or is a great parent. Maybe you follow a leader in your church to work on a project or while serving on a team.

Most of the leaders I have had a difficult time following have one thing in common: I don't want my life to look like theirs. They are not modeling something I want. So I am constantly fighting a battle inside of myself.

So, as you lead, determine what you are looking for in the people around you & then model that for them. If you want authenticity in your small group, you must be authentic. If you want punctuality from your team, model it. If you want respect, model it.

Leadership is not about control. It is about influence. How are you influencing the people around you? What are you modeling for them? These are questions I ask myself all the time! Sometimes I am not satisfied with the answers and that is when I must make adjustments.