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Wanted: People who are better than me

It used to bother me when I had bosses, colleagues, employees and volunteers who were faster, smarter and more creative than me.  I always felt like I had to prove something.  I didn't want it to be said of me "He couldn't do that."  Let's call it what it is...insecurity.

Then September 1, 2011 arrived.  That was my first day on the job of being a Lead Pastor.  I don't know if my perspective changed or if what we were going through as a church (quick start-up and a new facility) caused me to change.  Perhaps the combination of all of my responsibilities (husband, father, pastor, son, friend, counselor, etc...) forced me to have a change in my attitude.  

I still have a long way to go.  Sometimes I still try to sound more intelligent (that never works by the way) and to prove myself to other people.  However, I'm enjoying the faster, more creative, and "better" people around me so much more than I have in the past.  I'm more inspired now by them rather than feeling insecure by their skills, experience and results. I find myself really thankful for them and longing for more of them around me every day!

cleaning up

I had minor surgery earlier this week and used today to recover and also do some clean up work on my pc, specifically the "My Documents" portion of my pc.  I haven't done this in well over 5 years.  Not only did it feel good to get my pc all cleaned up but I found important documents that I had been looking for for years. 

However, the more important result of this little, pain in the butt, exercise was that it caused me to pause and reflect on all that God has done in our lives this past half decade. Georgia, New York, South Carolina; the birth of a girl, the birth of a boy; three different churches; four residences; hundred's of friend and perhaps thousands of lives changed! 

Although I've had my days over the last 5 years today trying to figure out what God was doing, today I was thankful for the crazy life that God has give us these past years.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  I've had my moments of doubt, but today I was reminded about the promise that Paul gives to Philippians and to all of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus: Philippians 1:6 "6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

to be a dad

What a day.  It started at 2 am cleaning up from our four year old daughter's stomach flu (I think we all had a touch of it in the last 2 days).  Mom does these thing more times than I do, but she has been sleeping very good lately and I'm glad for that. The heart of my day consisted of many phone calls, counseling, sermon prep, leadership prep, intern program prep, balancing and juggling decisions, being sick, answering e-mail, and solving a host of problems. 

I have my selfish moments and struggle being a good dad most days.  It's now the end of the day and as I type this I'm holding my squirmy 18 month old.  The thought that occurs to me is how lucky I am to have started the day holding my little girl and end it holding my son...I'm so lucky to be a dad!