How Can I Expect....

How can I expect you to do something if I am not willing to do it too? How can I expect you to go the distance if I am not willing to travel along? How can I expect you to go beyond average if I have never been there? How can I expect you to come to something I organize if I don't come to something your involved in?

We have all heard the saying...."I am not asking you to do something that I would not do myself!" And we have all thought, "Yeah Right!"

As I was setting in a gym yesterday taking in some Junior High girls volleyball I had a parent approach me. It is one of my joys to talk with people, but I must say I always get a bit nervous when a parent comes to talk with me. The parent said, "Are you going to be able to keep this up?" I am sure I looked pretty dumb when they asked that question, and to be honest I wasn't sure what they meant (remember I get nervous). So, I spoke a confident, "You bet!" Then they proceeded to tell me that it was great to see me standing over in the corner (which is where I spend most of my time, because it is by the door and I can see more people that way...secret revealed) on a regular basis. By this time I was feeling more comfortable because well, I was being commended. Then they went on to say, "it is very endearing to a lot of people to see you come out and support their families this way." I was still pretty dumbfounded, so I said, "Well, this is something that I enjoy doing, so I will always make it a priority."

I walked away from that conversation with two things: 1) It was great to have a parent commend me for doing something, it made me feel great. 2) It made me realize why I do the "extra" things I do. Its not only because I enjoy doing them, but how could I expect someone to be involved in something I want them to be if I never take the time to be involved in something they want me to be?

I would not feel right standing in front of a bunch of 7th-9th graders and asking them to come to a retreat if I never took the time to come to things they were involved in. I would not feel as comfortable asking others to do something for me if I have never done something for them. I think it is the right thing to do. Lead by example. I will never forget seeing one of my ministers standing next to the goal post at our games and practices, he wanted to be where we were.

If we are going to be effective at whatever we do, we have to go the extra mile. Now, that's not to say that I could not be doing more, but I do believe we cannot expect others to do it if we don't!

Feel like what your doing is going unnoticed...yesterday's conversation reminded me its not!

Just Thinking-