Yesterday was the 18th anniversary of the day I married my best friend. It was the beginning of a journey that has taught me many lessons–some repeatedly. I could probably do a post a day for the next 18 years and still not touch all the lessons I have learned. We won’t go there. Instead, I’ll just share how we chose to spend the day. Read more »
I just returned from a weekend trip with some really cool Exit 6 students. Exit 6 is a program for the 6th graders at my church. It helps them transition from the children’s ministry to the youth ministry. We went to Cincinnati to explore the Creation Museum, bond as a group, and serve at a homeless shelter. There were many highlights from the trip, but watching the students transition from sixth-graders to servants as we worked at the shelter was one of my favorites.
We made 28 homemade pizzas–chopped the veggies, cooked the meat, etc. Those students jumped right in and worked hard with great attitudes. They helped prepare the meal, serve the meal, and clean up from the meal. They even spent time interacting with people from the shelter. People who didn’t dress like them, look like them, talk like them, or smell like them. They didn’t seem to notice the differences by the time we were finished.
I vividly recall one moment as I stood in a corner and watched them in action. My “Mommy Heart” looked out over the room, noticing the unique personalities shining through as they served, and wished all the other Mommies could have witnessed what I was seeing. They got it–they saw the big picture. They were really serving for the right reasons.
I can’t always say the same thing about myself. I sometimes allow the distractions of my daily details to cloud up the big picture. What about you? When’s the last time you served–like a sixth-grade servant?
I’ve decided it’s not a bad idea to take turns doing someone else’s job if you are able to do so. It gives you a new perspective on things. Today, we took turns answering the phones for the receptionist. Some on our team were learning for the first time just how hard it can be to answer the phone. As I watched their anxiety wax and wane over the 45 minute shifts, I allowed myself to remember how stressful it was for me to learn the same skills a few years ago.
It seems as if time stands still from the time the caller asks to speak to someone and the time it takes for me to find the button that will connect the call to the proper extension. It must be some law of physics or something. Afterall, how hard can it be just to transfer a call? Right?
Hmmmm. . . It made me think. I can be critical of others very easily sometimes–at least until I am walking in their shoes!
Oh, and by the way, I don’t have issues with our receptionists. They are quite good at what they do! It’s some other, unmentioned things I struggle with 
It’s that time again. I’m trying to be more consistent at updating my blog. Actually, I have been consistent–consistently sporadic! I guess what I am trying to do is jump back on the wagon of more regular posts. I won’t even attempt to suggest what “regular” will mean–let’s just see how that works out.
Some coworkers who repeatedly chastised me in front of a visiting consultant yesterday spurred this attempt on! They might have thought it would embarrass me but it didn’t. However, it did make me want to tell things about them on my blog! If you want to learn more, keep reading!
Honey, where are the matches? Mom, where’s the flashlight? Help! Where’s the extra toilet paper? These are questions that invoke a different answer audibly than the one that remains in my head! (Duh? Where have we always kept that? How long have we been married? How many times do I have to remind you of the same thing? Have you even looked where I told you to look last week? Do you have your eyes open? Are you kidding me?)
Without the same sarcastic tone that often accompanies my thoughts, I find myself wondering if God says some of the same things to me when I fail to remember what He’s already told me. (Trust me, child. Don’t you remember I already forgave you for that–I don’t even remember it. Read my Word–the same verses I showed you two days ago! )
Today He lovingly reminded me of something He has shown me over and over again–even in the last week. When will I learn?
Are you looking for anything and forgetting you already know where to find it?
