Nothing bugs me more than the art of  positioning oneself.

It’s annoying.

There is no greater irritation than listening to someone talk about where they would rather be as opposed to where they are… especially when it comes to ministry.  Ministry roles are not rungs on a ladder.  Although I could write for a long time on the value of various ministry roles, I don’t think I need to.

Here’s the deal… If  I’m looking ahead for what God has next, I’m not focused on what He’s placed in front of me.  I can’t lead effectively that way.

Bloom where you’re planted.  Quit looking ahead at where God ‘might’ be leading you and make it happen where He has you today.  Let the next step take you by surprise.

That’s all I’m shoutin’.

I love my team.

I work with a ministry team of 5 that work their tails off to do whatever is necessary to create a kids ministry that is outstanding.  I love hanging out with them.  Love going to coffee.  Love the silly conversations in our area of the office… the laughter… the tears… the wetting of pants.

(I can neither confirm nor deny the actual wetting of pants.  I can only speculate.)

Hanging out with my team is the highlight of my week.

But I hate our team meetings.

I dread them.

We sit in a circle and talk tasks.  We run through an agenda of items.  We force ourselves to talk through challenges, issues, resolutions, etc.

I find they are difficult to lead through b/c I’m not a task-driven person.  Just looking at the list of agenda items makes me want to curl up in a fetal position and suck my thumb.

I understand that tasks are necessary.  I agree that each item on the agenda is important.

But I’d much rather use that precious time to re inspire my team.  Get them on the same page and remind them what our focus is for the week.  We can figure out another way to cover the tasks.

So, I’m revamping the team meeting next week.

There certainly needs to be laughing, guffawing… and some wetting of pants.

Three full days of a 3-year-old on steroids. Here was his report from school today…

Participated in Centers: “No, he was upset”
Participated in Craft: “Yes, did scarecrow”
Participated in Circle Time: “No, he was upset”
Participated in Outside Play: “Yes”
Participated in Specials: “No, he was upset”
Seemed to have fun: “No”

A word of advice to those with a child taking steroids… choose your battles wisely!

my acts of idiocy still amaze me.  though many of you may not be so surprised. 

this year for Christmas, our family gave a gift of obedience to Jesus.  we chose an area that we wished to be more obedient in toward Christ.  we wrote them on paper and gave them to Jesus for His birthday.

mine?

“Pray Sooner”

prayer tends to be an afterthought for me.  when i’m walking through a difficult situation i want to seek counsel on it immediately.  but my first counsel is rarely God.  though it may be Godly people… they’re not God.  though i may still counsel with them, they should be secondary to talking it out with God.

so that was my gift.  sounds simple enough.  and yet it just occurred to me i’ve been avoiding it for two weeks.

i’ve had some difficult conversations and tough situations to work through these past few weeks.  still more to come.  it’s just that season in ministry.  and yet i’ve spent little to no time in prayer.  i’ve found creative ways to distract myself.  ridiculous methods of avoidance.

and here i stand 2 weeks later still with the need to know the Father’s heart in these matters.

feeling sheepish for waiting so long.