Ready to Board?

 According to an article on the front page of the newspaper, the local Board of Education recently unanimously approved a new Deputy Superintendent. Although some might consider his unanimous appointment to such a prestigious position a “lucky break,” the truth is he had been advancing throughout his two decades in public education. As he transitioned through various roles such as classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and district administrator, he amassed a proven and impressive record of leadership, service, and dedication to student success. Additionally, those broad areas of experiences gave him a comprehensive understanding of the areas he will now oversee.

Meanwhile, he advanced his own education, earning a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and other advanced degrees. He also served as an adjunct professor at a university where he helped prepare future educational leaders.

He is committed to excellence in his personal life, as well. He and his beautiful and talented wife have been married for 27 years, have two children who are now successful adults, and are active in their church.

Reading about his success reminded me of this insightful quote (of uncertain origin): “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Phyllis A. Whitney, a prolific author from yesteryear, would agree. In Guide to Fiction Writing, she says that other writers would comment on how “lucky” she had been to have met with such success, especially since she acknowledges her talent, in the beginning, was “untrained” and “modest.” Along with blows and disappointments, she received extraordinary breaks, leading her to conclude: “Opportunity is like a train on an endless track. Now and then it makes a stop at your station, often without fanfare, and without warning” (p.4).

ChatGPT created this image,
 using prompts provided by the author.

Referring to an unexpected opportunity that had been given to her, she says, “How very, very lucky that the train had stopped where I could get aboard. Or was it possible that without realizing it I had been getting ready for that train for a long time?” (p.5).

Indeed, she had been preparing herself even with no train — no opportunity — in sight. She’d been learning the craft of writing and continuing to write, write, write, refusing to give up even when some of her work was rejected for publication. Thus, she was ready when the train stopped, and her life took a turn for the better (p.5).

She believes “life is full of trains that stop. What counts is what we are doing with our lives when there is no opportunity and not a train in sight” (p.6)

 She says, “The lucky breaks that worked out were generally followed or preceded by some positive action on my part” (p.6).

 I assume the new Deputy Superintendent would affirm her wise words, including these: “What you do now counts. Never mind the rejections, the discouragement, the voice of ridicule…. Work and wait and learn, and that train will come by” (p.9)

Little Steps

As this year draws to a close, I feel a mix of emotions, don’t you? Gratitude for all the blessings I’ve received. Sadness over the passing of loved ones. Concern over the seemingly unsolvable situations in the world. Regret over things done or left undone. Overwhelm regarding things yet to do.

I can’t do anything about some of those things, but I know from previous experience that if I’ll declutter my personal spaces, I’ll feel much more hopeful and function more efficiently as I do the things I can do. 

However, even improving my workspace seems a daunting task. But the day I vowed to sort and file the accumulated items in my “to be done” stack, I came across a 3x5 card on which I'd scribbled these words several months ago: “find little ways forward.”

As I dealt with the stack, I said to myself, Think about what runners do. When they’re running a marathon (26.2 miles) or a shorter distance, they do it one step at a time. Step by step, from start to finish, they stay on the course marked out for them. They know that each step brings them closer to the finish line. They don’t lollygag around or quit. They don’t look back. They look ahead, eager to reach the finish line. That’s what I’ll do in regard to sorting this stuff and to finishing important projects that I’ve set aside for far too long.

Encouraged by that insight, I’m feeling less overwhelmed and more determined than ever to find little ways forward in the New Year. I hope you are too.

One by One

I'd hoped to feel less overwhelmed after Christmas. But when the New Year arrived, I shifted my focus from "all things Christmas" to improvements I need to make. Lose at least ten pounds. Exercise daily. Stay in closer touch with friends. Declutter drawers and closets and THE BASEMENT. Publish a second book....

The more I considered what I needed to do, the more overwhelmed I felt. (Does that happen to you, too?) But while reading an email on New Year's Day, I saw a simple solution for decreasing overwhelm. Starting today, do ONE thing! For example: meet one exercise goal for today. Call one friend. Declutter one drawer. Write one paragraph for the new book.

By doing one small task today and another one tomorrow and the next day and the next day..., I'll achieve my goals. (You can, too!) Even the ones that seem unreachable.

Never Give Up!

Dr. Jane Goodall, now 84, recalls the wise counsel her mother gave her many years ago when going to Africa and living with the animals and writing books about them was only a dream in young Jane's heart.

"If you really want to do this thing, you will have to work really hard, take advantage of all opportunities -- but never give up." (p.18, Renew magazine, Spring 2019)

Jane took her mother's advice and, consequently, has done far more than she ever imagined.

You and I will benefit from following Jane's mother's advice and that of the apostle Paul. 

Brick by Brick

When I read the insight James Clear added to a familiar quote, I realized he was right. Indeed, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour.”

Worthwhile projects take time and effort. None of us can construct something magnificent overnight, no matter how much we wish we could. However, we’ll witness our dreams becoming more and more of a reality if only we’ll follow the example of hardworking brick masons. They build beautiful structures by laying one brick at a time, hour after hour and day by day. Furthermore, they work as long as it takes to finish the job.

How hard and how faithfully do we work to reach our goals?

New Tapes

Somewhere along my journey through life, I developed a tendency to shy away from anything that’s difficult and/or scary. I know I’m not lazy because I stay busy all the time. In fact, one of my dear friends jokingly calls me  “The Energizer Bunny.”

Despite my busyness, I don’t ever quite get around to taking steps to make my dreams come true. Oh, I spend lots of time reading about how to take those steps. I read glowing testimonies of others who’ve taken certain steps and are now living the life they’ve dreamed about. But me...????? I’m still "planning to", still trying to summon the courage to take those first steps, and still listening to the same old tapes in my head, the tapes that say, “Your work isn’t good enough!" "Girl, you’ll have to hang your head in shame! Then what will people think of you and your big dreams?”

Do you relate to what I’m going through? If so, let me share with you this verse, which I’ve read many times through the years, but which is now “coming alive” and “ringing true” with me. I’ve latched onto its truth like a desert-wanderer gulping life-giving water a fellow traveler shared with him.

The verse is in chapter four of the Old Testament book of Zechariah. The wording of the verse (v.10) varies from translation to translation, but the essence of the good news is this: The LORD our God rejoices to see His children begin the work He has called them to do. He doesn’t despise (that is, look down on or belittle) even the smallest efforts we make. If God doesn’t look down on them, then we shouldn't!

The verses preceding v. 10 also encourage us. By reading them, we discover that whatever God has called us to do is not to be done in our strength but in His! Whew! What a relief!

Those two truths have become the "new tapes" I’m listening to now. To remind me to focus on them, I'm going to put these graphics (included in this post) where I'll see them throughout the day. If you’d like to download them for your personal use or share them on Facebook, etc., please do so!

How Long???

So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?”

~Joshua 18:3, ESV

*****

Some phrases lodge in my brain and remain there for hours, days, or even years. That happened this morning as I was reading the Old Testament book of Joshua. The question above seemed to be directed to me and, thus, has lingered in my mind for hours and has prompted me to share it with you in case it’s a question you, too, need to answer.

Like God’s people in that ancient story, I’ve wasted many precious years “preparing” to do what God wants me to do. I tell myself, “One day I’ll be ready to take the big step and do great things for Him. I just need to learn a bit more and to opt out of some lesser commitments so that I will have time to obey Him.”

That's why I sensed God was asking me the same question Joshua asked. God has been extraordinarily patient with me, as He was with the Israelites, and has provided all that I could possibly need to do what He has asked me to do. Yet, I hang back, begging for more time to prepare in order to do my best for Him. I realize now that my fear has been holding me back, just as it held the Israelites back. That fear has another name, a much more serious one: unbelief. I have not fully believed that the One who assigned me a particular work will enable me to do it.

Today, I sense God is “putting it to me plain” by asking, “How much longer are you going to put off doing what I’ve asked you to do? How much longer are you going to come so close to full commitment to the work I’ve given you, yet fail to step out in faith and DO the work? How much longer are you going to let fear/unbelief rob you of the blessings I have in store for you?”

Father, forgive my lack of trust in You and my failure to carry out the work You’ve entrusted to me. I confess my sins of unbelief and disobedience and humbly ask You to forgive me and to help me to fully enter into the work and its subsequent blessings—beginning today. From this day forward, I will rely on this promise You made to Joshua when You assigned to him a daunting task: Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, ESV).

Unless the LORD...

Unless the LORD builds the house, 

those who build it labor 

in vain. 

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake

 in vain.

                                                         Psalm 127:1, ESV

I have long known that verse but, sad to say, I have often ignored its wisdom. Thus, God has brought that verse to my mind again and again through the years and especially in the past few weeks. I sense He wants me to share this message with you, Dear Reader, in case you are also struggling with plans and projects that simply won't "come together."

As we go about our work, as we plan our work and work our plan, let's remind ourselves often of the truth in Psalm 127:1 and in these words (excerpted from Matthew Henry's Commentary on that verse):

"Let us always look to God's providence...

If God be not acknowledged, 

we have no reason to expect his blessings; 

and the best-laid plans fail, 

unless he crowns them with success..."

Father, forgive us for failing to acknowledge our need of You, for planning our work without first having sought Your will and Your ways. Help us learn to ask You what You want us to do, and then help us to do exactly what You say and to do it well.

Exemplary Lives

This award is presented  annually to the photographer who earned the most ribbons in the "Advanced Division" during the competition, which is held each October.

One morning during my shift as a “Pink Lady” at our local hospital, I accepted a beautiful arrangement of flowers from a delivery person, who said, “Will you see that [name] gets these? She works in the dietary department.”

I hurried to the elevator, eager to do my small part in bringing delight to the recipient. When I exited, I saw the cafeteria manager standing in the hallway that led to the cafeteria. “Steve,” I said, “these are for [name], but I have no idea who she is or where I might find her.”

“I’ll be glad to take them to her. She’s washing pots and pans for us today.” He smiled. “She’s happy wherever she’s assigned, but these flowers will make her day. I’m glad someone sent them, for she deserves this special surprise. She’s one of the best employees I have.  Always arrives early for work. Does a really good job wherever we need her. And she gets along well with everyone.”

With a courteous nod, he headed off to deliver them. I was sorry I couldn’t go along and meet the exemplary employee—and see her happy face.

That experience came to mind a few weeks later as I listened to an online Bible study of the book of Titus. The teacher, Dr. Howard Hendricks, emphasized that every Christian has a ministry even if he is not serving on a church staff. No matter where we live and work, we are to be persons of integrity—living exemplary lives, and speaking and conducting ourselves in ways that honor our Lord.

A Christian should be the best employee that a company has, whether he holds a high or low position. That doesn’t necessarily mean he must be the most skilled or receive the most recognition, but it does mean his character should be the finest of anyone in that environment. Or, to borrow the phrase used in Titus 1:6, 7, a Christian should be “above reproach.” In other words, people should find no fault, no flaw, in his character.

As I reflected on that, I recalled a similar truth found in Proverbs 31, a Bible passage that describes an excellent wife. “She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (vv. 10b-12).

The writer of that passage then mentions some of the ways she ministers to/serves her husband and their family. While faithfully doing her work well, she displays strength, dignity, wisdom, kindness, etc.

Thus, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all’” (Proverbs 31:29-30a).

Because of her character, her commitment to excellence, and her faithfulness in serving others, she provides an excellent example for us as we relate to our employer, our co-workers, our family, and our friends.

Wherever we are, we have opportunities to show others that, having been born again/anew, we are indeed a new creation; the old things (old ways) have passed away and new ways have come. And now, we’ve been given the awesome privilege of serving as ambassadors for Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.)

Let’s be good ones—VERY good ones!

Note: This article was submitted for publication in the Sept. 2015 issue of Chapel Hill News and Views, a magazine that's published monthly in the Douglasville, Georgia, area. I've been a columnist for that magazine since Feb. 2008.

                 Happy Labor Day!

Interruptions

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

Luke 19:1-5, NASB

During a phone conversation, a dear friend and I talked about the day we’d met (over twenty years ago).

“I just came into your office and interrupted your work,” she said.

As we laughed about that, I said, “Neither of us knew that meeting would be the beginning of a beautiful and lasting friendship, did we?”

Indeed, we have become as close as sisters as we’ve shared good times together, as well as times of struggle and heartbreak. Every conversation I have with her is a feast for our spirits as we laugh together and encourage one another.

I thought about that a day or two later as I read these words in Mark Buchanan’s wonderful book, The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath: “Think a moment of all the events and encounters that have shaped you most deeply and lastingly. How many did you see coming? How many did you engineer, manufacture, chase down? And how many were interruptions?” (Location #1462, Kindle)

Yes, often what we view as an interruption is actually God’s way of blessing us far more than we could envision, His way of leading us down paths He has chosen for us. For example, consider the life of Jesus. He lived with full awareness of His purpose; yet, He used “interruptions” as opportunities for healing and teaching and meeting all sorts of needs. The “interruptions” were, in fact, an integral part of His work. That’s true for us, as well. May we realize that.