He Must Increase

He must increase, I must decrease. John 3:30

He gives me my truest dimensions in a world of pretenders.

“Love is my legal jurisdiction.” David Teems
-- The margins that surround my life, the guardrails that limit the road I travel. The compass rose upon the map that defines my life. It must be my book of etiquette, the Book of Hoyle, my worn Robert’s Rules of Order, the by-laws of my character. Without its refining power in my life, I become a clanging cymbal, a blasting horn, a blowing wind.

Love must permeate my being, saturate my soul, season every relationship, scent every act, flavor every moment. It must be my highest goal, my greatest dream, my purest pursuit, my self-fulfilling prophecy.

To be self-actualized in love—transformed—an agent of transformation—to be love in an often loveless world.

For me to live is, no must be, Christ.

Crocus in the Snow

It’s been a strange spring. A few weeks ago warmth finally arrived to northern Ohio and cabin weary citizens flowed out of their hibernation homes into their yards. Rakes, wheelbarrows and mulch were ubiquitous. As flower beds were prepared, twigs gathered and yards fertilized, neighbors called out to one another.

“So glad there is no more snow!”
“It’s great to be outside!”
“What a wonderful day!”

Like so many around me I felt the revitalization of the emerging season. Winter was past. Then it occurred. Shocking the community, just as we seemed to have turned the corner from winter to spring, it snowed. Not just flurries, walks were covered and lawns turned white. Rakes were traded for snow shovels once again.

It seemed like everyone around me was in a funk. Complaints and expressions of disgust with the weather were commonplace. But while I didn’t enjoy digging out a warm jacket again, I was far from discouraged. All around me were signs of winter’s passing and spring’s advent. Poking defiantly through a blanket of snow were the purple and yellow heads of spring crocuses. Spring was arriving. I was encouraged.

Leaders recognize this phenomenon and find similar encouragement.

Sometimes we labor, strategize, implement plans and visions to help our groups, lead our businesses, and guide our ministries out of winter into a coming spring. Then just when it seems like the cold hard days of winter are giving way to spring, it happens--a late season snowstorm.

 A set back in our plans
 A program fails
 A down turn in growth
 An old problem resurges

Frustrating? Yes. But even in the face of set backs, leaders learn to focus on the signs of spring. Sometimes it doesn’t take much, just a few little things poking up through storm.

Are you in the midst of a late season storm? Look for signs of the coming spring.

Choose Well

This is my first rambling back in the window since I’ve taken my father back to N.Y. I began that day noting a sense of gratefulness that my schedule would finally return to normal. Then I realized by normal, I meant in my control.

No more quick trips back to the house to get him up in the morning. No more times washing his feet, applying cream, fixing breakfast or rushing to fix lunch. And I am grateful for that.

But, I am also sorry that he isn’t here, that we won’t get those afternoon drives, and those dinners together.

I buried a man’s wife yesterday; a woman nearly the age of my parents. I knew her boys. I saw their tears, the pain in their hearts. Her death came quickly. The onset of pneumonia, kidney failure, heart arrhythmia, and suddenly she was gone.

Both events, taking my dad home and the funeral remind me of important lessons.

Leaders know days and time are precious. Events can change quickly. Opportunities are missed. We must choose well. I chose to have my dad with us for 4 months. Reminded that life is uncertain and can end swiftly, I am confident I chose well.

The choice- Leaders do it well.

Dead Leaves

Saw a leadership principle at work yesterday. My wife had a free day and desired to do some outside work, so she spent the morning raking dead leaves out of the flowerbed.

Our front beds are filled with crocuses, irises, daylilies, daffodils, tulips and many other spring perennials. They will come up and bloom with little work. They are established plants; every year dependable.

But lying all around them are the few scattered remnants of the fall foliage. Dead leaves now brown and withered and looking pathetic. Clearing them away, the colors of the new plants just pop.

Sometimes as a leader we need to clear away some of the “dead leaves” around us. Sometimes before the beauty of new growth, a new initiative, a new strategy can be discovered and truly appreciated. Some of the old dying or dead things need to be cleaned away.

Have you looked around the flower beds over which you have care? Is it time to break out a rake?