To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Christian

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Who do you need to praise or pray for this week?

Last weekend several alumni of the University of Central Missouri’s Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter got to together back in “the ‘Burg” to celebrate our 100th anniversary. It struck me when I was there that I have been impacted by these ladies for just shy of 30 years… nearly a 1/3 of those being celebrated. Honestly, it’s a bit humbling to look back on your path so far, and see how God has placed just the right people, and just the right experiences in your life. (Notice, I didn’t say perfect, but just right! As in just what I needed at the time.)

I’ve blogged before about a smaller group of these ladies, “my tribe” that I reconnected with three years ago after a couple of decades plus of raising kids, etc. Now, here they are, back in my every day life as if nothing ever changed (except less “big hair,” blue mascara and those 15 young adults we are all raising). Here’s the thing: We are now here for a different purpose I feel in each other’s lives. Although we closed the place down two nights in a row (we divided and conquered) – so we still have a bit of fun – we lift each other up in more powerful ways. We reach out to each other for advice, for prayers, for good energy and lots of love.

We didn’t realize we needed each other at 18 years old. We had no idea where life would take any of us, yet – but God knew exactly what we needed, and He is proving it 30 years later.

As you go into your week, it seems like a great time and season to really praise and be grateful for those people and experiences. Perhaps even taking the time to reach out to a few and just thank them for their presence in your life. Ask them how you can lift them up, pray, or whatever it is that you might do to send out good energy to the universe. I know for sure I always cherish prayers and believe firmly that God hears every single one. (“There is power in persistent prayer.” Micah 7:7)

Have an amazing week. The universe is conspiring for your great success!

Go deep: We need to build our root system

Throwback from 2017- some thoughts as you wrap up your week strong!

If you’ve ever stood under a redwood tree, you know that their height is something magnificent. And yet, the extent of their root system is shockingly not deep at 6-12 feet. So, how do we account for the crazy growth, with many reaching 300 feet tall? (The tallest pine measures in at 268 by comparison.)

“Redwoods create the strength to withstand powerful winds and floods by extending their roots more than 50 feet from the trunk and living in groves where their roots can intertwine.”

Perfect! Another cool illustration for how important going deep in your relationships is to your ability to grow and optimize your gifts. Of course, I love this – and so should you!

“Community” is what allows us to live a joy-filled life. (“Community” is also defined as families, friendship groups, circles, tribes, colleagues… you get my drift.)

To serve well, it is almost required that we are encouraged, held accountable and ultimately pushed toward our best self. For most of human history, this has been a normal part of life, starting out with the earliest Native American tribes and, for my generation, playing kickball in the street until well after the sun went down. Today, many find themselves immersed in technology and other distractions. That seems almost too obvious to state but when the shoe fits… Heck, I don’t even like to get out of my car to go in the bank. God forbid I can’t take care of business on my phone or through a machine.

I like the idea of going deep. I need to work more at this. I’d love to achieve the greatness of a redwood grove… to lock arms together with some amazing people and establish root systems that allow us all to grow and flourish.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Even in the rain…

On my drive into the neighborhood I often stop and take a photo of the lake. It occurred to me that I do this when it’s beautiful outside and the late-day sun is reflecting off of the water. It often provides some sort of deep relief as I take in the beauty. (I’m a rock solid Pisces who loves the water – from stomping in puddles to my fav, Table Rock Lake… it’s heaven on earth to me.)

As I drove in tonight, the rain drops on my driver side window captured me. Against the dark backdrop of the early spring rain falling – coupled with way-too-cold temperatures (if you ask me) – I immediately thought how beautiful life can be during all seasons. Here’s what I know…

EVEN if rain falls, we innately know that the rain brings forth the glory of spring and hope for warm days ahead.

EVEN if our days are hard, and at times overwhelming, God has provided a team of people around us that not only love and support us, but want to cheer us on and relish in that as their purpose.

EVEN if we don’t understand where God has us or our loved ones, we can know for sure that when the clouds clear out (and if we quiet our souls enough to really listen and observe…) that we are exactly where we were or are supposed to be.

I need to be more present in the rain and in the days of wondering. We all rise together, so I hope today we can commit to remembering that EVEN when we find ourselves in gentle rain, shoulders down, ducking the weather, or in a downright powerhouse rain storm, that we look up and find the beauty. It is definitely there… That’s God’s promise to us all.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: The personal power in refreshing others

Re-fresh-ment: “The giving of fresh, mental or physical strength or energy.” Synonyms: Invigoration, revitalizing, restoring, strengthening, regenerating

Isn’t that great? I particularly love the part about giving. We actually have the power to GIVE someone strength and energy. Amazing. What if everyone you ran into knew that and acted upon it positively? What if our inner circle, family, friends, etc., received this reminder today? Would it be a game changer for the environment around us? I sure think so! (Heck, even the enthusiasm around March Madness elevates the energy in the conversation.)

One thing I’ve known for a long time is that if I’m having a bad day, the surest way to reverse course is to focus on someone else and help to fill a need if possible.

ELooking back, this makes sense. Before I actually read the Bible through, I used to read the Psalms and proverbs year after year. These short messages provide the best guidance I know of on how to live life well. I loved that in my daily reading this week, that I came across the powerful Proverb above. What a simple, yet profound thought that comes directly from God’s word.

As we go into this week, I plan to keep this top of mind. What are some ways we can “refresh” others this week? Let’s fill the world around us with all kinds of crazy good. Be refreshed my friends.

“Life isn’t supposed to be hard… really?”

Have you ever heard this? I have heard the words spoken from many, and far too often it’s meant with the best intentions.

Most of you know I have a strong faith, but unfortunately some of those messages come most strongly from those who share that faith. “If God’s in it, it won’t be hard… If the job is too hard, the relationship too challenging, the deal on the house or car or whatever doesn’t work out just as you want… “It’s not meant to be.” After all, life isn’t supposed to be hard if we follow the plan set out for us, right? Hmmmm….

Maybe this non-truth resonates more the older I get, and the fact that my boys and their friends are getting older. Instead of this message, I want to shout from the mountaintops: “It’s going to be really hard! Anything worth it generally has a tall order of pain involved. Sometimes, there will be tears. But it WILL be worth it!”

Some things that came to mind:

  • College: Yep, pretty hard lessons – lots of fun, but lot’s of work. It was always the “tough professor,” however, that stood above the others.
  • First 10-20 years post-grad (adulting 101 and 201): Yep. Again, marriage was hard, learning how to deal with bosses in a new career, learning how to pay the bills, deal with a broken washer and unexpected expenses. Yep… check mark all of those…really hard.
  • 40+- aging parents (and so on): Again, hard. But how special is that time? And what a great opportunity.

I think we need to be careful what we share with one another and specifically how we encourage. Sure, I’m a positive person and I believe in all kinds of good. In fact, many may say I wear the rose-colored glasses – I’m deeply and innately positive. Perhaps that’s why I felt it should be me that points this out.

Let’s set each other up for success. Let’s not encourage one another to run away from the obstacle courses of life – even the ones that might bruise us. Let’s grab each other’s hands and help push, pull or whatever it takes to get through it, not only alive but on fire for life. It’s worth it – every single time.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Great is our God

I have heard this song so many times, and never thought of it in the way that was shared at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia a year ago. Here’s what they shared:

Great is our God….

In where he has positioned us in this world.
(May we grow where he has planted us.)
In our relationships
In our careers
In our finances
In our dreams…

I absolutely LOVED THIS perspective.

Essentially, “great is our God” in all of the areas of our life. If we choose to focus on the good and even great, it can be found anywhere. We were all born at this specific time in the world for a reason, each with a destined purpose to love those around us and to achieve the purpose set for us by using the gifts we have been given.

To me, that is the fun part. Understanding both my gifts and the gifts of those God has put in my “circle of life” so to speak and working together to do something magical.

As you go into your week, go out and do something MAGICAL. Great is our God indeed.

Simple thoughts Sunday

Our human thinking is often so limiting. We question God and wonder where He is in all of “this.” Whatever “this” is in the moment. Do you ever stop and think maybe God is taking you on this path for a reason? Maybe you think you want something, and maybe God wants you to have something better? Something that might exceed our greatest desires? Steven Furtick’s message last week was incredible… Here was the takeaway (for me at least):

“Faith cannot rest in God fulfilling OUR agenda.” If we “zoom out” there may be a purpose that is greater and a plan that is bigger than we can even conjure up in our simple minds.

I am believing this today my friends. I often find myself in a place of wondering. It is a familiar and well-worn path in my mind, to question where God is taking me. Despite being under some great teachers in my life, I get dragged in by my own reasoning. I am grateful today that God’s logic is not even close to mine and that His ways are greater. I am counting on better paths and in God’s great design to exceed my wildest dreams.

How to live out honor

Honor | It’s a heavy word. A word filled with so much opportunity. A word bursting with love and meaning.

I have a friend who shared a recent conversation/argument they were having with their fiancé. The exchange was hurtful, leaving a recovery scene of fear and pain – anything but honor.

Similarly, I was in my office last week when I overheard a staff member sharing how they were hurt by another employee’s comments about them that they heard through the grapevine.

Without giving a lot of thought to our words, we create an environment that does not promote honor. How and why does this happen? I do not believe that’s anyone’s intent. It’s not like you wake up and say to yourself, “Today I am going to extend hurt instead of love… ” That doesn’t happen in the world I live in, yet the reality is our homes, car and corridors at times leave a residue of dishonor.

Today, it would be awesome to put honor back on top of our lists. I even told my young, soon-to-be-married friend that if I had to do it over, I might tattoo “honor” on my wrist before my wedding day. Beyond my marriage, the permanent reminder to show honor to the ones I love and who God has entrusted and surrounded me with seems like a great idea.

What is honor? Honor is focusing on admiration & respect in all we do. Here are some thoughts that might be helpful:

  • Compliment early and often – Esteem those deserving publicly and privately
  • Be patient – Remember that “slow to speak…” blog from Sunday?
  • Ask questions and show interest – Actually appreciate differences and opposing view points
  • Overlook mistakes and comments
  • Use the Acronym THINK in your thoughts, intentions and actions – Is it True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?
  • Forgive quickly

One of my favorite coaching messages for myself and others is to “always wear the white hat,” stand above the comments you know aren’t real, but are full of emotion and a pain generally not rooted in the truth. If you like Michelle Obama, then her famous quote, “When they go low, we go high,” comes to mind.

Let’s outdo each other with HONOR this week.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: What, God? What are you trying to teach me?

As most of the folks who hang with me know, I am committed to my faith and believe 100% that God is guiding me and all of us along our relative paths. I believe that we don’t encounter lessons that won’t be used to help provide a light for our path. That we don’t meet people we aren’t supposed to love and serve in some way.

I want to admit today that I have had many life moments that have left me wondering years later what the intended lesson was. What in the world am I supposed to learn from this? How do I grow, and how can I understand it more clearly? Perhaps, on this side of heaven, we don’t get that opportunity. Perhaps I’m not patient or haven’t arrived yet at the right timing. I’ve found that’s why it’s called faith.

There is fairly common scripture, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for good, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today, regardless of what is going on in your life and where life has taken you, I pray that you will join me in believing that there is a plan and that the plan is for your good. I believe that it is for you to achieve your best self – the you that feels pure joy and love surrounding you deeply.

Cheering you on. Bold prayers my friends, bold prayers.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: “We gotta take care of each other.”

I have to tell you, I was absolutely stunned by the Grammy Awards this year. I honestly don’t remember watching them for long the last several years, but the opening act this year and the ever-incredible Alicia Keys had me hooked from the beginning. (I guess you don’t “age out” after all.)

So, the strong message to me was beyond music unifying, although it clearly has in every generation. It was about using your platform, whatever that is that God has given you, to improve our world. Lady Gaga, (who, by the way, is my surprise new love) used her stage to talk about mental health, compelling us all to take care of each other. I honestly have never met a person who didn’t need to hear this. Have you?

From the beginning of time, God instructed us to take care of one another. There are numerous scriptures, but here are a few of my favorites…

1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…”

Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens…”

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted…”

As a Christian, I rest in these truths. But I have friends from many beliefs and religions, and I believe the sheer majority of the world believes in this truth.

I hope as we go into a new week we can all be on the look out for how we can best “take care.” I also hope that we can shake off every bit of negative feeling that comes with asking for help. Many of my best days are because I did just that. We are not meant to do life alone.

Have the best of weeks.