In The Dash- Friends

I have friends I don’t deserve who have had way more influence in my life than I have had in theirs.  Friends who have made me a better husband and father because of their influence in my life.  They have shown grace, mercy, forgiveness and love, even in the midst of my pride, arrogance and selfishness.

It’s so important to stop and say thank you.  In the hectic rush of life so many times we take advantage or take for granted those who lift up our arms to be successful or those who stand beside us in our brokenness.

One-on-one time with key friends is not for everyone; it’s for those who know you the best and who love you unconditionally.  It’s not time for those who stand on the outside and are friends from a far or friends only in the good times.

 

Action Step:

◊ Spend time with key friends.

In The Dash- Role Players

I don’t like the dark and I send my wife to check out scary noises in the home.  However, I do take great pride in taking care of my family, providing for them and being someone they can lean on.  When I’m gone I want someone to check on them, and someone to take care of the small things.

After someone passes we are quick to jump in and help but time passes and people forget.  A couple of weeks turn into a couple of months and the person that is left behind is expected to handle the responsibility of two people, all while grieving.

It’s important for me to have key friends there to help carry the role, to help fill in to be a male role model for my boys and to help my wife with the things I used to do.

 

ACTION STEPS:

◊ Make sure key friends would be there to protect my family.  

The Farmers Market

Our staff went out today not for lunch but for an experience.  I went to Booths Corner for the first time today which is your typical farmers market.  What I was not expecting is to lose self control at every booth.  Here is a few things that I ate today at lunch.

• Bacon, Ranch & Chicken pretzel wrap
• Sausage sandwich
• Cinnamon role
• 2 bowls of mini donuts
• Spiral potato on a stick
• Chili cheese dog
• Cheese fries

Here are some things that I learned.

• The farmers market is the Disney world for food lovers.  There is something for everyone.  Trust me I know now.
• Eating large quantities of food is always more fun with the staff.  Except for when they take pictures and make fun of you.
• Our entire staff knows how to eat. I am not the only one with an appetite, women included.
• Bring  cash.  They don’t like credit.
• I can eat, buy car parts, shoes and get a hair cut all in one place.  Great time management.
• Lost of Amish people, but not horse and buggies.  How did they get there?
• Stand there long enough and they will give you free samples.
• Don’t settle for the first round, scope the place out and don’t just settle for mediocrity.
• Get home quick.  I’ll leave it at that.

Just Shut Up

I had a chance to talk to a very smart person yesterday who always seems to have a great handle on life even if they stumble through the journey just like me.  This person talked about the spiritual discipline of silence.  When I first heard that I honestly thought, “oh yeah, I remember that.”  In college I took the time to learn a lot of different spiritual disciplines.  Not just the spiritual disciplines of: reading the Bible, prayer, tithing and serving but the spiritual disciplines of fasting, responsive reading and silence.  There are so many of them and many of them are revealed to us based on where we are in our journey with Christ.  I had forgotten about the spiritual discipline of silence.

It’s the idea to listen to others without getting attacking, defensive or having any type of personal agenda.  This is a huge one in leadership, one that I know I need to get much better at.

What I appreciate about this person is even though they don’t have it figured out they still shared their journey.  Never once was I told that I should practice this discipline, but their excitement was compelling to me.  I appreciate this friend and the truth that they speak into my life.

Do you have people around you that challenge you with lifestyle and not just their words?  Do you have people who care enough about you to share their journey with you so you can grow as a result of it?