In That Moment

Love, trust, strength, faith, but also fear filled me the morning of dad's surgery.  With family by his side throughout the week we knew this day was coming.  It was finally here and I was prepared.  Looking back, I could finally see what God was preparing me for and here it was: I needed to pray. We gathered in a room filled with love and uncertainty and in that moment it was my voice that spoke.

Rewind a couple years to a Friday morning when I was invited to join a prayer group at my school. Yes, even though many say prayer is not in schools, I'd like to smile and say how else are all these wonderful teachers making it through the day?  That's an entirely different post but here is what I found: I learned to pray.

My parents had created the foundation of faith and led by example. As adults, we have to come to this same confidence in faith to share with others, especially being in a room filled with multiple denominations.  Growing up Catholic, you learn prayers, you follow traditions, and you go through the motions.  Or so I thought.  I just needed a little push. I listened to many different prayers led by my friends and found so much more.  I learned how to pray.  I watched pray requests be denied but lessons learned.  I saw struggles with faith but growing relationships with Christ. I felt hands on me in some of the most darkest days. I saw total trust.  It's not that I didn't see this from my parents, I just saw it in a different way. God put these people in my life at just the right moment.

Back to the room.  We held hands, bowed our heads, and words flowed through me that were not my own.  I heard all my friends coming out of me.  The way they prayed was now how I prayed.  Through all our struggles, we had built relationships led by faith and prayer. All the while, God set actions in place years prior so I could stand there and pray. That prayer was filled with so much emotion that we hugged each other, tears flowing, but nothing left to say.  I was prepared and forever grateful to have the opportunity to lead in the most difficult situation I had ever been presented.

"Not for a moment, will you forsake me." A song lyric that comes to mind this morning from Meredith Andrews.  We are not on this journey of life alone.  Every action, every decision, every relationship is built with His love.  He is constant, always good, and sovereign.  In every situation he is ceaselessly working on our behalf. This is very important to remember when dealing with adversity.

As I continue on His path I have moments of clarity and moments of doubts.  I can instantly see when I've lost peace because I'm searching for something. In those moments, I try to find what it is that I need to work on.  This week I've been thinking on how to build morale as a leader.  Strong ethics and morals is the backbone of any leader.  I hear teachers telling students; "Do the right thing, even when no one is looking." Leading is no different.

Psalm 32:8 Created with Retype

We must be willing to lead with love.  "We must align our intentions with our actions and choose our behaviors" (James Hunter).  We must be willing to serve and sacrifice. Through these sacrifices, we EARN the authority to lead. When others see you model what you believe they begin to trust you moving forward. As a leader, I must bring all that I've learned as well as an established core set of values.  This week I've been reflecting on dad's journey, my relationships with others, and what core set of ethics/morals I need to be a successful leader. Just as my prayer group taught me, so do those around me.  I have been using every opportunity for growth and being the best I can be for those around me.

Trust, honesty, respect, collaboration, and reflection. This core set of values, and dad's words, JUST LOVE, I am eager to quench my thirst for leadership.  Trusting God has already laid the path and will introduce the right people and circumstances into my life at just the right moment.  Today, I am thankful for all of you and how you are helping on this journey.  It is no coincidence that you are reading this.  You are part of my journey and I am learning from you!

A special thanks to my former prayer group.  Change may have moved us apart but you all hold a special place in my heart, forever. God bless you and keep you safe and full of His spirit!