“Did you win?” one of the guys from my small group asked me after church on Sunday.
“Did I win?” I replied racking my brain trying to remember what I had competed in. I may talk a big game, but there really isn’t that much competition going on in my life.
“It’s what I always ask people; did you win this week?” he repeated.
“No,” I replied honestly. “I think this last week beat me. But this coming week will be mine!”
Read the rest on the Middle Places blog.
It’s a high priority to me to be authentic with those I care about. It helps that I’m terrible at hiding my emotions. If something is right or something is wrong, you can tell just by being near me, no words required. But that doesn’t mean I’m not a pro at keeping up appearances.
If you were to pop up at my house unannounced, you would likely find dishes in the sink, unfolded clothes piled in my living room and a dirty, cluttered bathroom. Oh, and I might be in my most-favorite “fashionable” sweatpants (thank you Costco!). But give me 10 minutes notice and the clothes would be hidden away, bathroom reasonably straightened with a once-over of the toilet and dishes quietly cycling in the dishwasher. I’m taking the 5th on whether or not I’d still be in my sweatpants! The point being, I’d look much less like the mess I often feel I am…
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I’ve had a lot of bosses over the years. Good bosses, great people, bad bosses, not-so-great people. In college I had a boss who was having an affair with a contractor for the same company, later I had another who was never-ever-ever available. I’ve had some who had great hearts but couldn’t lead a team to save their lives, and another who was so full of herself I began to dread going to work. But I’ve also had some who were great examples of wisdom and leadership, who encouraged and inspired me. Some of my favorites are those who saw me not only for who I was, but for all that I could become, pouring into me and helping me grow to new heights, both professionally and personally.
And I’ve been the boss too, both the good boss and the bad boss…
Read the rest on the Middle Places blog.