That's what it's been like since I returned to work after being on maternity leave for the past year. I described it to my husband saying "I've had ideas stirring for the last year and suddenly I'm back to work and I'm spewing vision/new ideas on everyone who crosses my path". And it's not just for my own department, which is children's ministries. I've got ideas for women's ministries, missions, prayer meeting. To be honest, it's ridiculous! I feel most sorry for the people in my department because they are forced to receive it in huge doses. Not only am I getting to hear about an entire year's worth of updates from the volunteers and staff I work with, they are receiving a year's worth of dreams, ambition, ideas and enthusiasm.
Funny enough, the vomit must be contagious because people keep listening (not necessarily implementing every idea, but listening). Those who love vision are excited and the enthusiasm is spreading like a virus...in a good way.
So I thought to myself, since I can't afford to take a year off everytime I need a vision boost, what lessons can I take away from the renewed passion and vision that comes with a leave of absence?
Here's my top three ways to renew vision for your family, ministry, or life:
1. Lock yourself away.
Don't get me wrong. Being on a mat. leave is in no way like being in prison...except maybe during teething season. However we all need to make opportunity to be completely unplugged, uninterrupted by work-related deadlines and expectations. Whether it's for a week's vacation, or an afternoon where no one can find you.
2. Surround yourself with people you love
The best part of a maternity leave is the time spent with my babies! There is a time and place for solitude, but being around people you love and who care about you re-energizes you. Embrace the pure joy of being with non-work related others and allow yourself to grow as a person and gain perspective.
3. Get in touch with your identity
For me, the time spent not being employed is a gift from God because it forces me to put my identity solely in Him. Who am I apart from what I do or get paid to do? Of course you don't have to lose your job or go on a leave to take a moment and refocus on who God says you are. You are a child of God. You are valued for WHO you are, not just what you can do.
Part of me wishes I could stay in "maternity leave land" forever, but alas our family is now complete. However the lessons learned are amazing, and it's up to all of us to take moments time and time again to rejuvenate and refocus so that we can give back to others.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Chasing Ants
This spring we were having a little issue with ants taking over the neighbourhood. For the time being it had helped distract us from the concern that rabbits were taking over and would be soon doubling the population of our subdivision. Rabbits stay outdoors are cute and cuddly, and keep the children entertained from the living room window. Ants on our kitchen floors? Not so cute.
It had been a couple of days of eliminating the occasional ant with kleenex and I had already decided I would get my husband to pick up some ant traps or something later on in the week. However, nothing really prepared me for the take-over that was being plotted in the tiny crevices of my kitchen baseboards while I lay fast asleep in my bed one night.
I woke up earlier than anyone else and had a brilliant idea that I would sit down with a cup of tea and read my Bible, enjoying the silence. Then I saw them. At first it was one ant that caught my attention, causing me to get up from my Bible and move toward the kitchen ceramics. I bent down to end the poor little critters life only to see a tiny little army marching diligently around the parameter of our dining area, under the kitchen table, and soon to be down the hall. I was no longer the only one who was up early that morning. Suddenly the scripture "Consider the ant, you sluggard" flashed through my head. The thought quickly passed as I myself began scurrying to chase ants from one end of the kitchen to the other. Where were they coming from? How could I get rid of them? Was there a home remedy I could look up? Something safe for the kids to play around? Chasing the ants led to looking up ant solutions online, which led to me trailing cinnamon around the entire border of the kitchen, which somehow lead to me going downstairs, which reminded me of all the laundry that I should be doing, which caused me to put a load in the washer, which lead to waking up the baby, which ultimately meant so much for morning bible devotions. I was disappointed with what happened and wanted to blame the ants. Stupid ants! How dare they get in the way of my quiet time with God?! Yet the familiarity of getting caught up in 'chasing' crises was haunting my spirit. Good intentions sometimes feel like my worst enemy. As a mom I tend to put everyone elses needs and demands as top priority. After a day of chasing a runaway toddler and budding ballerina, stopping only to bandage a papercut or change a diaper, I'm left with little time to myself. Now I've added a full work day to my agenda and I'm realizing quickly the need to set my priorities even higher and keep time with God as well as my family a high priority. The ants are now gone after three different remedies, but the life lesson remains. Stop chasing the "ants" that distract me from being who I am in Christ.
It had been a couple of days of eliminating the occasional ant with kleenex and I had already decided I would get my husband to pick up some ant traps or something later on in the week. However, nothing really prepared me for the take-over that was being plotted in the tiny crevices of my kitchen baseboards while I lay fast asleep in my bed one night.
I woke up earlier than anyone else and had a brilliant idea that I would sit down with a cup of tea and read my Bible, enjoying the silence. Then I saw them. At first it was one ant that caught my attention, causing me to get up from my Bible and move toward the kitchen ceramics. I bent down to end the poor little critters life only to see a tiny little army marching diligently around the parameter of our dining area, under the kitchen table, and soon to be down the hall. I was no longer the only one who was up early that morning. Suddenly the scripture "Consider the ant, you sluggard" flashed through my head. The thought quickly passed as I myself began scurrying to chase ants from one end of the kitchen to the other. Where were they coming from? How could I get rid of them? Was there a home remedy I could look up? Something safe for the kids to play around? Chasing the ants led to looking up ant solutions online, which led to me trailing cinnamon around the entire border of the kitchen, which somehow lead to me going downstairs, which reminded me of all the laundry that I should be doing, which caused me to put a load in the washer, which lead to waking up the baby, which ultimately meant so much for morning bible devotions. I was disappointed with what happened and wanted to blame the ants. Stupid ants! How dare they get in the way of my quiet time with God?! Yet the familiarity of getting caught up in 'chasing' crises was haunting my spirit. Good intentions sometimes feel like my worst enemy. As a mom I tend to put everyone elses needs and demands as top priority. After a day of chasing a runaway toddler and budding ballerina, stopping only to bandage a papercut or change a diaper, I'm left with little time to myself. Now I've added a full work day to my agenda and I'm realizing quickly the need to set my priorities even higher and keep time with God as well as my family a high priority. The ants are now gone after three different remedies, but the life lesson remains. Stop chasing the "ants" that distract me from being who I am in Christ.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Serving: No Regrets Mom and Dad
When I was a young'n my parents were die-hard children's ministry volunteers. They lead the mid-week program, taught in Sunday School and hosted family events before 'family ministry' was even a catch phrase! I remember my dad going around the church foyer taking chinese food orders on more than one New Year's Eve services. Even my dad knew that New Year's Eve services needed something that was more 'family friendly' than simply singing hymns as the clock struck midnight. It wasn't always easy being so involved in volunteer ministry as a family of five. We lived 20 minutes away from the church, and on more than a few occasions my parents found themselves driving out to the church two or three days a week, including twice on a Sunday so we could be in kids choir Sunday nights. Wow! When I think about it, it must have been crazy at times! But my parents loved to serve. They loved to serve where their kids were involved, and they took pride in being available and willing to serve the Lord in whatever way was most needed.
Lately I've heard a lot in children's ministry circles about making sure we don't ask too much of volunteers and guarding against pulling families to the church several nights a week. The reason is supposedly for the sake of families, so that people have time at home to simply 'be a family'. I get it. I really do. We need to not abuse people's willingness to serve, at the expense of their families. However, I also heard a pastor of a very large and successful church say in contrary "Don't police your volunteers". His view was that we need to teach people to discern for themselves when and how much to be involved and not be the 'Holy Spirit' in people's lives. God has given different measures of grace and giftedness to individuals and we may very well be quenching talent and passion to serve by setting hard and steadfast limits on involvement.
My parents had no idea when they were dragging my two sisters and I to early set up for Vacation Bible School that they were providing pre-bible college credits to their eldest daughter who would one day be in full-time ministry. When they stayed late Sunday nights to minister during an altar call they didn't realize that they were teaching their children to rely on the Presence of God not the calendar or the clock to direct their days. When they brought home crafts to cut and badges to sort, they were showing that service is something you do for the Lord, and not for personal thanks or even jewels in your crown.
My mom and dad weren't perfect volunteers, and I'm sure time has erased most of the frustrations and any stress that was placed on our busy family schedule to make room for serving our local church. I do know one thing for sure though. My parents were happiest when they were the most involved in ministering at our family church. The times they've felt empty and displaced have been during times when their hands were most idle, and their hearts not engaged in doing something to serve the Lord in a way that's connected to God's House.
I vow to live life with no regrets. When your kids have lived off volunteer pizza and nursery goldfish crackers a few times too much this week...don't sweat it. You never know what next great leader is being shaped and influenced while in the shadow of you serving the Lord. We were never neglected for the sake of the ministry, but instead we were blessed to see the joy and sacrifice of serving being fleshed out in our family setting. That's Family Ministry. Without serving...it's just another day on the calendar.
Lately I've heard a lot in children's ministry circles about making sure we don't ask too much of volunteers and guarding against pulling families to the church several nights a week. The reason is supposedly for the sake of families, so that people have time at home to simply 'be a family'. I get it. I really do. We need to not abuse people's willingness to serve, at the expense of their families. However, I also heard a pastor of a very large and successful church say in contrary "Don't police your volunteers". His view was that we need to teach people to discern for themselves when and how much to be involved and not be the 'Holy Spirit' in people's lives. God has given different measures of grace and giftedness to individuals and we may very well be quenching talent and passion to serve by setting hard and steadfast limits on involvement.
My parents had no idea when they were dragging my two sisters and I to early set up for Vacation Bible School that they were providing pre-bible college credits to their eldest daughter who would one day be in full-time ministry. When they stayed late Sunday nights to minister during an altar call they didn't realize that they were teaching their children to rely on the Presence of God not the calendar or the clock to direct their days. When they brought home crafts to cut and badges to sort, they were showing that service is something you do for the Lord, and not for personal thanks or even jewels in your crown.
My mom and dad weren't perfect volunteers, and I'm sure time has erased most of the frustrations and any stress that was placed on our busy family schedule to make room for serving our local church. I do know one thing for sure though. My parents were happiest when they were the most involved in ministering at our family church. The times they've felt empty and displaced have been during times when their hands were most idle, and their hearts not engaged in doing something to serve the Lord in a way that's connected to God's House.
I vow to live life with no regrets. When your kids have lived off volunteer pizza and nursery goldfish crackers a few times too much this week...don't sweat it. You never know what next great leader is being shaped and influenced while in the shadow of you serving the Lord. We were never neglected for the sake of the ministry, but instead we were blessed to see the joy and sacrifice of serving being fleshed out in our family setting. That's Family Ministry. Without serving...it's just another day on the calendar.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Second Takes
A couple of weekends ago I experienced what it was like to be a part of a video created for an upcoming children's ministries event http://www.blownawayconference.ca/. My nerves were a little rattled, but quickly put at ease by the pros who helped me learn the ropes of being on camera. They explained that the video would be broken down into short clips with some fancy editing, cool camera angles, and music to make it all flow. I soon appreciated the freedom that came within the boundaries of that setting. If I said something semi-profound it was captured for future use, because the camera was still rolling. If I said something heretical or tripped over my words...no worries, just say it again and better. It's a little freeing for the internal perfectionist in me who sometimes trips up over her own thoughts mid-sentence. It's not often due to a lack of direction that I'm sometimes hesitant in stating my case; rather it's out of an insecurity of being misunderstood or unheard. These haunting notions are occasionally brought on by reminders of harsh reprimands from long ago. Reprimands that came verbally or subliminally for voicing an unpopular opinion or challenging the status quo. Statements that were overlooked or dismissed (dare I even say it now...) because they came from the voice of a soprano. This is the luggage we carry with us on our journey, which can paralyze us mid-stride if we're not careful. I now recognize it as pointless fear. The leftovers of experience rears its head in unsuspecting places, and then cower when the Truth hits it like bright lights next to the camera lens.
After this weekend I find myself absolutely grateful for the way that God sees my life, versus the way I've been interpreting it. I've been seeing every step as a 'get it right on the first try' commitment, rather than the fact the camera just keeps on rolling and so must I. Some days I do something really profound and see the ripple effect for years to come. Other days I make bone-head mistakes and want to wallow in the mud of my own disappointments. But I hear the voice of the Creative Editor saying, "Just re-do it" as He gives opportunity for a second more wiser take on life. Some footage will never make it on the playback reel in heaven, but it was those 'takes' that help the keeper moments rise to the top.
He's a gracious Father in heaven. None of our weaknesses or strengths are hidden from Him. He keeps an account of ALL our days for the bigger picture, and starting over gives Him greater glory in the end.
Why not just start again?
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