Monthly Archives: October 2016

Whose time is it anyway?

Faith, Life, Topics in Leadership, Work

 

glass-time-watch-business

I try, as best as I can to stay organized with “my” time. Being organized and efficient are some of the traits that typically make the “traits of effective leader” list. What I always tell people is, “getting organized isn’t the problem, it’s staying organized that gets,me.” My calendar and my to-do list are important tools. To keep track of my time I use Google Calendar. I can schedule my time from several devices and keep everything synced. I use Google Keep to create reminders and to-do lists.  I write out my to-dos and check them off on a regular basis.  The work ethic I inherited from my parents leads me to make sure I am being productive and getting things done. I try to make every hour count.

I’m not obsessive about it, but when there are interruptions or intrusions to my plan I can feel a little surge of anxiety or even frustration with the person or situation getting me off track. Maybe the source of the discomfort is because I forget that the hours I have in the day aren’t really mine. They are given to me by the one who created time.

This week I had a couple “intrusions”  that gently reminded me that the the creator of time may have some things to add to my day. Early in the week I was hunkered down plowing through my to-do list. One of the crisis counselors at the  agency I am the director of ask for me to help with a person in crisis because all the other staff were tied up. My first thought was, “I don’t have time for this.”  Despite my initial reaction I jumped in to help. I did the crisis intervention, and for about an hour I had the privilege of entering into someone’s valley of the shadow of death. It was a sacred time. This person, in complete trust, shared their deepest pain with me. I found myself feeling blessed by the opportunity to be a listening ear. I realized after the conversation that God had orchestrated this. He wanted me to be an extension of his grace to a suffering soul. This was better than anything on my list for the day.  The second happened as I was leaving the YMCA to get back home after working out. I had planned just enough  time to get in some exercise then get ready for a meeting. On my way out I ran into a friend. I did the quick “Hey how you doing?” Instead of the normal quick “okay” he chose to spend the time to actually share how he was doing. Once again, I felt that twinge of anxiety and my internal dialogue was , “shoot, I don’t have time for this.” I spent about 5 minutes listening and offering support. We parted ways with a smile and a “nice seeing you.” The conversation was not long but it was meaningful. It was enough time to demonstrate to my friend that I cared about him. Once again, a chance to reflect some grace into someone’s life. It was time not blocked out on my schedule but it was a sacred encounter.

So I will start a new work week again Monday.  I have my schedule and my to-do list. I am praying though, that I will be sensitive to God’s plan for what’s ahead and leave room for the creator of time to drop in a few interruptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glimpses of the Kingdom

Faith, Life, The Church

krista-and-friends

This past week I saw glimpses of God’s Kingdom. What am I talking about you may ask? First of all it  had absolutely nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. Nothing to do with commerce, tax plans, borders, boundaries, or talent acquisition. The glimpses I saw had to do with quiet, simple acts of kindness and generosity. Some of them happened in places no one was looking. Let me share four examples with you. Example one. Early this week we experienced a major clog in our kitchen double sink drain/disposal. It was my fault. I’d tried to flush down a huge pile of rice noodles. They got hung up in some grease on way down the drain. I plunged, took the under-the-sink PVC apart, plunged again, all to no avail. I called a locally renown appliance repairman. He happens to go to my church. I explained the dilemma to his wife who relayed the information to him. Based on his experience he thought it was a plumbing issue rather than the disposal malfunctioning. He told me to use two plungers. I only had one. He said “I’ll be right over.” He came over and in 10 minutes using boiling water, dish detergent, and bleach had it open. When I went to pay him he replied, “No charge. We love you guys.” Example two. I got an out-of-character text from a friend. He asked to meet me for lunch. I was a little nervous because his request implied something was going on and I wasn’t sure what it was. When we met he shared he had recently been struggling with panic attacks. In the middle of Wendy’s he bore his soul. He talked about his fears and stressors. I was able to encourage him and give him some resources to help cope. I’ll be following up regularly. Example three. For three hours  twice a month on Saturdays, fifteen or so people volunteer to hang out with children are physically handicapped so their parents can have time to recharge. These adults, all who could be doing other things, choose to  walk laps, paint pumpkins, play with sand, eat pizza, and whatever else it takes to help the kids have a great time. Parents return recharged and the children have a  great night with new friends. Example four. This week two Ashlanders relayed to me the account of how, for the past two years, they had  befriended a troubled individual in our town who was marginalized and distanced by others. These two Ashlanders determined, based on the leading of the Creator, to love this person rather than try to change them. They relayed that by doing this, even when it was difficult, they saw the individual slowly soften and begin to be more reflective and loving of others.

There you have it. Four short instances in the span of seven days that are reminders that in spite of all that looks dark out there, God is regularly using everyday people to shine his light. My advice, be on the lookout and choose to participate.