XML FeedsHow Much Space Is Just Right
By swallacegs on Feb 3, 2012 | In b2evolution
February 3, 2012
Over the past few months Micah has been part of a Cub Scout Den. It has been an interesting journey for me in a number of ways. Interesting in that I have helped him build a boat to race in the Rain Gutter Regatta, helped him achieve a belt full of Achievements (with him pushing ahead for more), helped build a Pine Wood Derby Car, led a session on flags for the Den, and more. We have spent countless hours on these lessons and projects and during them one of the things that I have struggled with is how much help to give him. How far back, or forward, do I need to step in order to help him learn, grow, and experience these things? I see some parents who are very much so on the sidelines barely fitting this new demand into their schedule. I also see parents who must think that they are the Scout since they are doing all of the work for their child. But in between these extremes is a lot of ground. So how much room are we supposed to give? What are the clues to finding that perfect spot?
In life we face that question in many ways; how much space to give that hurting friend, how much time to give before we confront another, how much guidance do we give a student and when is it better to let him/her discover things personally, how long to keep plugging at a task, and more. Where do you struggle with knowing how much space to leave? What guidelines do you use to find the “perfect” spot?
Micah is so passionate about learning which is exciting to see. He loves discovering, creating, achieving, and living. What a gift for me to see and experience. Hopefully I am finding that ‘perfect spot’ at least a good amount of the time.
Note: Perhaps there needs to be a Scout Achievement for teaching parents about life.
Thoughts for the hectic-ness of Christmas
By swallacegs on Dec 23, 2011 | In b2evolution
In the next couple of days many congregations will have a special service on Christmas Eve and then turning around the next morning for Sunday morning services. Many of us have been working at a furious pace with all of the activities and demands for the past several weeks. But even after the Christmas Day Celebrations are done the pace probably won’t slack up because of family and friendship events. It is enough to take the wind out of anyone’s sails. So what do you do to not be overwhelmed? Here are 4 suggestions to put at the top of your list of things to focus on in the next two weeks:
1. Pause: Take a few moments to ‘breathe’. Pause to be refreshed by the Spirit. Before your event or activity pause to regain your focus and to recall what it is all about. Pause so that you can join the moment. Don’t just move from thing to thing but take time to be able to really join in what is taking place and being celebrated.
Also, very soon take a day or at least half a day to refocus and renew yourself. This would probably best be in the first week of January after of the hectic year end work and family events are done. The past couple of months demand that you run at a draining pace and you need to make time to fill yourself up physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritual.
2. Celebrate: Take a few moments to celebrated! It can be easy to get caught up in the activities that have to be done and so miss out on the rejoicing. This isn’t to say that you are not sincere in what you are doing but only that it can be hard to fully share in the celebration as we rush around. So be sure to stop and recall what it is all about and to ‘feel’ the awe, the gratitude, the hope, and the love that God showered down with Christ’s birth!
3. Attend: Pay attention to those who are often sidelined during the rush of November and December. Family and friends can pay a price as you do all that needs to be done. So take some time to attend to these individuals with energy and focus (not with leftover time and low energy). Maybe pick up a card for a spouse expressing gratitude. Maybe a phone call to a friend or a cup of hot chocolate (I’m not a coffee drinker) or soda. Maybe watch a 30 minute show or play a game with your kids.
4. Connect: Make some time for just you and God. We are proclaiming the news that God sends and so we need to connect with our God so that we are filled to the brim with it. We personally need to hear that Good News. What for you is the Good News God is proclaiming to your right now?
May God fill you with the Good News so that all that you see may overflow with joy and hope.
Thoughts for the end of December
By swallacegs on Dec 23, 2011 | In b2evolution
Christmas is here in two days and there will be wonderful Christmas Eve Services with lots of beauty and touching experiences. Things have been moving toward this moment for a month and more and I want to briefly suggest a few things to consider.
Remember to care for the yourself in the next week. You have been pushing and shaping and attending parties and events for a month and that takes a toll. Yes there is great joy but don’t forget in the days ahead to care for you.
Care for yourself physically: do something you enjoy to help stimulate the body (e.g. a walk) and to work out the kinks and the accumulated stresses of the month.
Care for yourself emotionally: do you feel the emotional drop after all the events are over and the pressure is done? So often we ignore this experience rather than face it and challenge it by celebrating what we have done and taking a few moments to regroup.
Care for yourself psychologically/mentally: At times I have found it hard to look ahead for a week or so after Christmas because my brain was numb. After working to plan so many special events and focusing on so many things for the month my mind needed to rest. It wasn’t a long down time but just some time. How do you rest mentally; a movie, sitting in the park watching people, doing a puzzle.
Care for your family: Remember that each of your family members is impacted in unique ways by this season. Be sure to show appreciation and care for them. Watch for what they might be needing.
Are you a closet celebrator?
By swallacegs on Nov 8, 2011 | In b2evolution
November 7, 2011
Celebrate! What was the last thing you celebrated? How did you celebrate? Are you an ‘extreme celebrator’ or more of a ‘closet rejoicer’? A few weeks ago we had a birthday in our household; in fact it wasn’t just one, or two, but within the span of 8 days we had 3 of us with birthdays. Now, to be honest, I am not the best at doing celebrations and having 3 events worthy of and needing celebration can be taxing on me. But something I have learned (read: had re-enforced to me multiple times over the years) is that celebrating is a critical part of life. It really is. We need to celebrate so that we don’t miss or forget the tremendous gifts that have been given to us and the presents that are continually being offered to us.
We need to celebrate because in doing so we take in more of the gifts given to us and allow them to ‘flourish’ in our hearts and minds and lives. Celebrating allows us to recognize what has been and is being done that makes life rich and full and tender and touching.
Right now I am lying outside in the hammock looking out at the trees behind our home. The leaves are changing and there are beautiful shades of yellows, reds, maroons, greens, oranges and more. A delightful sight and one worthy of appreciation and…even celebration. How much celebrating do you do? How enthusiastically do you celebrate? I am working on becoming more vibrant in my celebrating so that I can fully experience the joy of what I am being given. I want to live each day with appreciation for what has been generously placed in my hands. How about you?
**************
My Dream:
I have a dream of being able to provide training and resources for congregations and church leaders so that they can shine brightly in doing Christ’s work. Over the past four years our non-profit has made great progress in putting together these materials (e.g. over 60 hours of coursework, dozens of free resources, several seminars) and we want to share the “wealth” with more and more congregations. We have worked hard to do this but in order to take bigger steps we need Donor Partners who would be willing to donate $250, $500, $1,000 or more. Would you please prayerfully consider the possibility of making a powerful difference in congregations/church leaders around the country by supporting our efforts? Tax deductible donations can be sent to:
Wallace SC&W
2805 Woodsgate Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
Does your life need Power Washing?
By swallacegs on Sep 15, 2011 | In b2evolution
Hello Everyone!
Over the past couple of days the weather has taken a dramatic turn. Cooler weather, rain and some uncommonly strong winds have all appeared. I love watching the wind blow the 30+ foot pines behind our house. What beauty and magnificence.
Knowing that a weather change was coming soon one of the projects that I have been working on is power washing our deck and putting on a weatherproof sealer. Over the past 7 years it has turned a not so attractive gray color and I wanted that rich wood look again. So with a couple of days of power washing (sore back and drenched body later) I was ready to put on the sealer. The sealer went down pretty easily and really brought out some beautiful colors. I must say that the change is dramatic; from a dingy gray to a warm brown. Over the past couple of days I find myself going to the window and just looking at it (ok so that is a bit weird).
It is easy to let things go. Maybe you have things that needed attention long before now but it was easy to just walk on by and do other things. We all know that you can get away with that for a while but eventually that neglect will catch up to you. The truth is that even before a big problem arises there are signs of deterioration showing up…just like the deck having slowly turned to that ashen gray color. What in your life have you been walking past for a bit too long? Is there something needing some work now? What price are you paying for not doing the upkeep work? This includes material things but also our mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual self as well. These are particularly easy to neglect until we find ourselves exploding over someone’s minor remark to us, feeling destroyed by a slight setback, or in finding it hard to come up with the energy to move ahead or even get out of bed. As the cooler weather comes in how about taking a moment to evaluate any upkeep you need to do? You might find yourself ‘looking out the window’ at the restoration’s positive effects too.
