JUST PUDGE

Ok, I can’t wait for tomorrow’s post…it’s called “2 keys, a door, and TRUST” and I hope you will all check it out.  However, I HAD to push it back till tomorrow because I ran accross this video and laughed so hard I think I might have broke something!

Now, before you view it you should know…we have two (inside) dogs, so our world is submersed with stuff like this. It isn’t funny when it happens to you, but when it happens to others it is funny (in love)!

So, check this out and tell me what you think…

When problems…opportunities for growth, challenges, whatever you want to call them…when they occur we all have an immediate reaction. We look for the root cause.
The ironic thing for me is how we (as leaders) seem to naturally look OUT to find the source of the problem and not IN!

What I mean is that many times we look for the source of a problem to be something we had nothing to do with, its someone else’s problem…we look OUT. However, if we are honest, if we looked IN first we would probably find a lot of room for growth there first.

For instance, let’s look at a few examples…

Communication

Their seems to be some misunderstanding on our team with the expectations and how they should be carried out. For some reason we naturally begin to think…”what are they not getting?” when the real question may be “what am I not clearly communicating?”

Environments

Each Sunday a child comes into your Kindergarten room excited, but when small groups begin…he can’t seem to pay attention. Naturally we begin to ask “what’s wrong with this kid?” when the real question may be “how can we improve this environment (even our material) so its easier for him to focus?”

Leadership

The leaders on your team know how to lead and they’re smart, but their teams are having trouble following their lead. Naturally we begin to ask “what are they doing wrong?” when really the question may be “Have I set the example for how KEY relationships and trust are to leading…have I enabled & empowered them?”

Of course these situations are all made up, but the point still stands. We should look IN (as in what can WE do better) before we look OUT (what can THEY do better) when it comes to the challenges we face everyday!

That’s not to say there won’t be times when we’ve done everything we can and it really is something we have to look OUT on. Those will come, but knowing we’ve exhausted all options looking IN first…make those a lot easier.

So, what’s your challenge today? Where are you looking?

I know it’s somewhat cliche, but it’s true..I’m real!

At least this was some of the things that those closest to me have shared and to be honest…I’m ok with it! For me, another way to say someone is “real” is to say they’re “raw.” As in, what you see is what you get, if we think it we’ll probably say it and we threw our filter away months ago (it wouldn’t let us talk as much)!

For me, I’m learning to embrace this as a gift (because it is one). However, I’m also learning that their are keys to using this gift wisely…

the ROOTS

Why am I real? Where does this rawness find it’s most deepest parts in my core? For me, it’s that I am passionate about…

• My relationship with Christ and growing daily!
• My family and putting them first above the church!
• Seeing people meet Jesus!
• Seeing the church grow!
• Seeing the church set the example for leadership, excellence and culture.

I could go on but I would rather sum it up in these words…”My realness/rawness isn’t about me being seen or noticed. It’s unfiltered passion for what God has called me to!”

the TIME & PLACE

I’ve learned that the challenge with being “real” comes when we don’t know when to silence the thoughts I have running through my head that don’t need to be voiced at that time! Sure, there are times and places when we should be unfiltered and their are other times and places when it would be best to just be seen.

It’s not that our opinion/insight/foresight doesn’t matter! It’s more so learning in that even TRUTH shared at the wrong time, in the wrong way will be perceived as FICTION or discarded entirely! And tragically, no one is to fault but ourselves!

I love that God has gifted me this way…to be real!! But my prayer is that it’s always rooted in what He’s called me to (and not about me) and that I constantly learn the right time, place and way to be real with those I trust! I’m still learning, but I’m owning the gift!