February 8 & 15

You’re getting a two for one deal this week! If you haven’t picked up on it by now, rituals and routines happen in my way and on my time.

I posted on Instagram last week, never posted here. That’s just the way life rolls sometimes. I was at a conference at the end of last week, then got sick on Sunday and have been feeling pretty miserable all week. That, too, is the way life rolls sometimes.

TGIF

I’m answering four questions every week. I invite you to reflect on these questions, too.

❶ What am I TRUSTING?
❷ For whom or what am I GRATEFUL?
❸ What is INSPIRING me?
❹ How am I practicing FAITH?
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Trust

❶ What am I trusting?

Last week, I said I was trusting doctors. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that because I certainly didn’t go see one this week. Oh, the irony!

The reason for trusting doctors was a cancer diagnosis happened in our family last week. The good news is this: the doctors removed the cancerous areas and treatment is starting today. My niece and her husband are parents to three young boys. They’ve handled this as best any young family can. Dad will have to be away from the family for a week since he shouldn’t be around babies or nursing mommas – and they have both in the family.

Gratitude

❷ For whom or what am I grateful?

This week, I am grateful for the time and space I had in my calendar. It seems like the year got off to a crazy start and I haven’t stopped going since the calendar turned 2019. Finally, this week, there was a lull before things start back up next week. Especially since I didn’t feel well, the space to do what I needed to do was a refreshing change.

Last week, I said I was grateful for a group of women leaders who hosted the Fierce Conference at Ginghamsburg Church. It was a time of worship, teaching, storytelling, and conversation. Not only was it great to listen and reflect on what colleagues and ministry were sharing, but it was also great to celebrate the ministry of so many colleagues in a short period of time.

Inspiration

❸ What is INSPIRING me?

Courage is inspiring me this week. I’m not exactly sure how a characteristic or attribute can inspire someone, but, but it is. As you’ll see in my post Slaying Fear with Strengths: 34 Ways You Can Rumble with Vulnerability so you can Lead with Courage (How’s that for the longest title ever?), courage has been a part of the past few weeks of my life.

Yesterday, I was reminded that the root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. It once meant “to speak one’s mind by telling one’s heart.” So when I say I’m inspired by courage – it’s really that I’m inspired by the courage I see demonstrated by parents, grandparents, students, teachers, first responders, community leaders, pastors, small business owners, entrepreneurs, etc. “to speak one’s mind by telling one’s heart.” I see it in the people I hear utter the simple and profound statement, “I can do hard stuff.” And, guess what? So can you.

I cheated last week and said see 1 & 2 for what’s inspiriting me. So, you got a double dose this week.

Faith

❹ How am I practicing FAITH?

I’m practicing faith by paying attention to what I’m paying attention to in my every day, ordinary life. The habits we talked about on LeaderCast Episode 054 have reminded me that what gets noticed, gets done. Practicing faith means I have to pay attention to where God’s leading me as a daily habit. It’s the intentionality of practicing faith that’s standing out this week. (Not sure if that’s deeply profound or a statement of the obvious…?)

Last week, I said I was practicing faith in all the opportunities I have to lead. Last week, that meant speaking to a group of women in ministry, it meant coaching, writing, teaching, and podcasting. That’s a week filled with opportunities to practice the faith!