Service Organizations – Page 23

The last couple of days have been a little hectic. I spent Monday doing some manual labor for our two of our kids. I enjoy throwing on the work boots and getting dirty. I love my work but it’s nice to get outside and work hard occasionally. I’m fortunate that I’m able to break up the routine from time to time. Most people don’t have that opportunity. Unfortunately, it made for a very busy Tuesday and a lot of aching muscles. That happens more often as I get older. That was one of the motivating factors in making the change to full-time writing…

I made the decision last year to go back to school, update my credentials, and begin freelancing again as a content and copy writer. I’ve been blessed to have great business mentors and a wealth of experience to help me make the transition. I was sitting on the porch this morning, reflecting on how grateful I am for that fortune, when I suddenly realized I had made a huge blunder in the process of this transition. I violated one of the fundamental rules of business, at least for people like me…

I started posting my daily “Thoughts From the Porch” on my Facebook page. Unfortunately, posting directly to Facebook instead of sharing a blog post raises issues of ownership. Naturally, I was thrilled to start blogging from my website, www.gregoryjoel.com. This is my web presence from a business standpoint and I keep it as professional as possible (which is why I constantly edit and update it!). Some of you already where I’m going with this…

My blog is a bit different. I share thoughts on things other than business, especially when it comes to my faith, how I see the world, and who (and who’s) I am. I make no excuses for that. While I don’t like to wear my recovery on my sleeve, I can’t deny it’s an important part of my spirituality and my faith. Recovery is what gave me a relationship with the God of my understanding. That’s what guides me as a professional. Unfortunately, the business community (and often society as a whole!) looks at it differently. It dawned on me that I had shot myself in the foot, professionally. It was right there for potential clients to read. Like my friend Jim used to tell me, “Sober don’t mean stupid son”. In boxing, they call it “leading with the chin”…

My mind raced with questions and self-doubt. How could I have been so foolish? What do I do now? I sat there feeling nothing but panic and failure. It was then a Casting Crowns’ song came on the stereo and stopped those thoughts dead in their tracks: “Just be held… your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place”. I paused, took a deep breath, and looked back at all the times I failed in the past and how they turned into blessings when I saw them differently. My vision had changed. Like my friend Edgar tells me, “we have a new pair of glasses”. I began to see my present dilemma differently, too.

One of the things I’ve come to know with a degree of certainty is that I am not my failures, nor am I unique. I used to think I was, and sometimes, like this morning, I still feel that way. I just don’t feel like that all the time. I see the past differently today and accept the grace that has been, and is, given so freely. By accepting that grace I’ve learned to accept myself and my failures. I trust that they made me the man I am today. I’m comfortable with the “Popeye Principle”: “I am what I am and that’s all that I am”. I’m just another one of God’s kids. So, I guess prospective clients will simply see me the way they see me.

I’ve learned (usually the hard way) that it’s not important what you think of me, nor what I think of me, but what God thinks of me. His grace and mercy lead me to live differently: in my personal and business relationships, in the world I live in, and to measure success in a new (and sometimes uncommon) way. Is my word my bond? Am I honest? Am I helping others, whether it’s personally or professionally? Do I live with integrity today? Do I live and work graciously and gratefully and treat you the same – with grace and dignity? When I live to love him and love others everything changes. Failures become life lessons and opportunities – to learn, to grow, and be of service to my family, friends, and fellows. Hopefully, others will see that as well. If not, then it is what it is. “I am what I am and that’s all that I am…”

I apologize in advance for any errors in this morning’s post. My “editor” is out of pocket this morning. It’s difficult to edit myself, but I wanted to get this morning’s thoughts out there. I hope you understand…

I’m a little “bum-fuzzled” this morning. Margaret was up early this morning to accompany our nephew and his wife to their final custody hearing at the court in Dallas. It threw a wrench into our (and of course, “my”) daily routine. I’m constantly amazed to find that I’ve become such a creature of habit. I’ve always thought of myself as somewhat spontaneous in spirit, but as I grow older, quite the opposite is true. I’m becoming my father. That’s not such a bad thing, mind you. My Dad was a loving and wise man who found joy and freedom in structure. I’m not sure how I feel about it though…

Margaret has a rough time in the mornings. She normally eases into the morning, allowing her body to adjust from sleeping to waking and moving about. It takes a lot of strength, perseverance, and determination to overcome the pain she suffers upon awakening to an early schedule. I’m reminded how much I love my wife and what an example she is for me. If someone needs her, she’s there regardless, of painful physical obstacles. I hope that I can be as self-less and loving as she is. I’m a better man because of my wife. Sometimes, I feel she was short-changed in this deal. Grace is truly a wonderful thing…

Anyway, I admit I’m a little scattered this morning. I pray gentle reader, that my thoughts are somewhat coherent. I had a couple of cups of coffee and some time to regroup my faculties, so here goes…

Over the last several weeks I’ve been blessed to be working with a local non-profit on an urban garden project. Although they are not a faith-based organization, I’ve had a good look at how ecological stewardship and community-building works in God’s world, in his kingdom. I could’ve have missed it if I relegated them to “just” another secular organization. Sometimes I think good Christian folks could learn a great deal from people who simply help others without regard to their religious belief or lack thereof.

I’m grateful that my consulting work has introduced me to a group of people, believers, who truly are workers in God’s kingdom. They don’t preach with words. They preach with action. They love others and plant seeds – literally. As a result, they have an incredible harvest with an abundance of fresh produce and fresh hearts. It seems I’ve heard that parable before…

So, I’d like to give a shout-out and a thank you to the folks at Bonton Farms in Dallas. I could write all day about stewardship and service in God’s kingdom. I’d like to show you how it works instead. I encourage you to visit their website at www.bontonfarms.org and see for yourself the transformation taking place in the lives of individuals and the community there.

“The kingdom is like…” It’s like Bonton. It’s like recovery. It’s like a mustard seed or a wee bit of yeast…

I always loved parables – wisdom coming from ordinary, everyday things, and situations. My favorite ones are the “kingdom is like” stories that draw on nature. I’ve found recovery, and hence my faith, is like a tiny seed that transforms into something bigger and better, bearing a great harvest. That tiny seed some wonderful people planted in me is growing, and I pray I bear better fruit today; that my actions are attractive and appealing to others.

What really strikes me over the last few weeks is the connection between people that takes place from the simple act of planting a seed. I saw it at Bonton Farms and I’ve seen it in the gardens I’ve been honored to work with in the past. Something about tending the soil and allowing God to produce the harvest has a profound effect on the people involved. The food and the flowers are important. They improve people’s lives by their simple taste and beauty. What’s really important, though, is that by connecting with the soil, we begin to connect with one another.

The kingdom really is like a tiny mustard seed…

Category: Service Organizations

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Connections