Brenda’s Blog – February 4, 2014

“Kennett, Missouri – home of Sheryl C_OW.”  Clearly a mischief maker found great humor in removing the “R.”  It made me think about the power of letters.

Think about the power of an “e” when you decide to be better, rather than bitter.

During my years of care giving I experienced many difficult and challenging moments.  There were times when I felt truly overwhelmed.  One night I sat at the computer, typing out my emotions.  At the end, I realized Mom and Dad gave me the opportunity to see the Lord change “scared into sacred.”  Holy transposition!

An old game gives you a word, requires you to shift one letter at a time, and then arrive at a completely new word.  There is a great leadership principle embedded in this exercise.  Cultural transitions aren’t made by jumping from A to Z.  Making incremental steps allows the organization to stabilize before making the next move.  They are shifting a letter at a time to complete the change.

Sometimes the word game gets off track because the moves weren’t the right ones.  Isn’t this true of organizational morphing, as well?  With each step, reassessment and review is necessary to see if the ultimate goal will be reached.

When we play the Scrabble® game of life we want to make sure it doesn’t turn into a Scramble!

Brenda’s Blog – January 21, 2014

The weather news said, “Flooding in Craighead County – roads covered with water.” It didn’t mean much to me as I traveled through driving rain in Arkansas — until I passed a “welcome to Craighead County” sign. Life is sometimes like that, isn’t it?

Shortly after entering the flood zone I noticed another sign: “Road dangerous when under water.” The rain was coming down in buckets, but the cars were coming from the other side, so I assured myself it was passable.  And, it was only 15 miles – how bad could it be?  At the “8 miles to Jonesboro” marker I felt like I had been driving for hours.  Seeing the water rise out of the boundaries on each side and lap against the road made me harken back to “when under water.”

It was barely light, the cars from the opposite direction were noticeably fewer, and then I saw water creeping across the highway.  I could see the road in between and knew I had enough room to pass through on pavement, so I proceeded, but not without thinking about being the “foolish old lady” who ignored warnings.

God was good — as it got dark and the water came up over the road, I turned on to a US highway and made the last 5 miles on “higher ground.”

To the dismay of my children (grown though they may), who groan when I begin with “life lesson,” I saw some very distinct principles illustrated:

1) When Craighead County says their roads are dangerous under water, don’t ignore it.  There are times when we are given distinct, discernible warnings and we choose to look the other way;

2)  Tunnel vision in achieving a goal can blind us to precarious choices we may make on the way;

3) Stupidity and perseverance are not synonymous; and

4) Always remember! We have a God who knows our weariness, sees the water creeping over our roads, and never leaves us.

Brenda’s Blog – January 7, 2014

 “I’m FREE!” That simple text expressed my sister’s release from ice imposed house arrest.  The first day was fun – a day off from work.  The second and third days were challenging.  And by day four she was marking her hours of incarceration by staring out the window, hoping to be sprung.  (Actually, she was hoping for Spring!)

A friend of mine emailed to tell of a dream in which she watched the church move away from the bondage of darkness.  The great hymn puts it this way, “My chains fell off; my heart was free; I went forth and followed Thee.”

What chains entangle you?  What habits tie you up, hindering your progress?

One of my dear friends is in rehab.  The current assignment is to write out the life story.  “Where did the anger begin?” “Where did the hopelessness and powerlessness take hold?”

“In the free” is the slang for walking out of jail.  We don’t have to wear orange jumpsuits to be psychologically incarcerated.  And, we don’t have to be sentenced by a judge – we can judge ourselves declaring guilt that is undeserved.  But we have the right to claim life “in the free.”

The grace of God through Christ Jesus pours down mercy hour by hour.  Morning by morning we can receive His gifts of freedom. We are free to live without recrimination.  We are free to throw off those shackles which slow us down.

As an influencer, what is holding you back?  As a decision maker, what is hampering your effectiveness? What lies are you believing that put up road blocks? 

Break free — put your life in four wheel drive and hit the road.  There may be a few icy spots, but always remember – turn into the slide and you will be fine.