I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in the great state of Missouri! We are so blessed to be spending this Memorial Weekend with my oldest Tender Warrior, Payton! :)
Several years ago I went through a training session, and took an assessment tool, titled "Leading From Your Strengths." Now, the first mind blowing concept that was taught is that there is not a right or wrong with certain attributes, just different. For example when it comes to decision making; there are people who can make snap decisions and others that need to take their time, process, and then make a decision. There are times when both are needed...not right, not wrong, just different.
There was also another concept that really resonated with me; instead of stoically sitting their within our own styles, work towards the other person, blend. And here is where this can really become key; say I am more of a "snap decision" type of person - I am! :) - and my Beautiful Bride is more of a "process it and then make a decision" type of person - she is! :) So now, we are in the thick of this beautiful, crazy thing we call life. A decision needs to be made. I am ready to make a decision. She is processing it. We talk, or at least try to. I want to make the decision, she wants to wait a little longer and process it. And then the real trouble starts...I can sit there and be critical of her - "Why can't she make a decision?" - and she can sit there and be critical of me - "Look at him, haphazard in his decision making?" We then start picking each other apart. Neither is right or wrong, we are just different. However if we don't recognize that we are just different in how we make decisions, and learn how to work with each of our strengths, we make the entire issue into something else all together different. Is there times when each style is needed? Absolutely! And it would be wise to learn our different styles, recognize when each would benefit us, and then actually apply what we know! When we do this well, life is pretty awesome! And when we don't? Well, it is less than glorious. Not only do we struggle in the decision making process, we also struggle in our relationship because we are now fighting, picking each other apart, etc., making an issue out of something that was never the issue in the first place - the simple fact that each of us has our own strengths.
I want to encourage us this morning, Friends, to blend. Instead of picking the other person apart when there is a difference between who we are and who they are, work towards them. No, you don't need to be who they are and they don't need to be who you are. It would be wise to recognize that we all have strengths, we all have weaknesses within our strengths, and to move toward the other person, to really understand them, appreciate them, and to understand that there are times when all of us have something to add to the greater good. Nobody is always right and nobody is always wrong...we are all valuable, we all have a critically important purpose, and we all have something of value to add. When we sit there, refusing to work towards and with others, we are operating at 1/2 strength. Let's be different!
I want to encourage all of us, when there is a difference, let's seek to understand. Let's commit to people and not get so hung up on characteristics...we all have strengths and weaknesses, talents and something less. It is an awful small world when we only want or accept those who think, act, and do what we think, act, and do. Let's be different! Let's look for the greatness and goodness in others. When there is a problem, challenge, or issue, let's look in the mirror instead of out the window. Let's figure out what we could do better/different instead of telling others what they should be doing!
I want to close by sharing a scripture, a quote, and the lyrics from a song.
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." - Romans 12:18
"I'm not going to let what someone else does or doesn't do determine the type of person I'm called to be." - Unknown
Undivided
Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard
You see, Billy got picked on at school
For things he couldn't change
He tried his best to play it cool
But in the seventh grade
You either fit right in or you don't fit
That's just the cold hard truth
I wish that I'd have been the friend
That Billy never knew
I think it's time to come together
You and I can make a change
Maybe we can make a difference
Make the world a better place
Look around and love somebody
We've been hateful long enough
Let the Good Lord reunite us
'Til this country that we love's
Undivided (yeah)
You either go to church or you gonna go to Hell
Get a job and work or you gonna go to jail
I just kinda wish we didn't think like that
Why's it gotta be all white or all black?
And when we gon' learn to try on someone's shoes sometimes? (That's right)
When we gon' start to see from someone else's eyes?
I think it's time to come together
You and I can make a change
Maybe we can make a difference
Make the world a better place
Look around and love somebody
We've been hateful long enough
Let the Good Lord reunite us
'Til this country that we love's
Undivided (oh yeah)
Undivided, oh yeah
We're all the same to God
No matter what we get His love
I'm tired of lookin' left or right
So I'm just lookin' up
I think it's time to come together
You and I can make a change
Maybe we can make a difference
Make the world a better place
Look around and love somebody
We've been hateful long enough (hateful long enough)
Let the Good Lord reunite us
'Til this country that we love's
Undivided (come on)
Oh yeah
Undivided, oh yeah
Oh yeah (get a job and work or you gonna go to jail)
Undivided (I just kinda wish we didn't think like that)
Yep (why's it gotta be all white or all black?)
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious families, and please stay well! :)
Kev
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