As I’ve been participating in the 90 day reading program of the New Testament at my home church, I’ve found that Paul asks a lot of questions in the book of Romans. I chuckle each time that the answer is, “Absolutely not!” I relate well to folks who speak in exclamation marks.

Anyway, it has gotten me to thinking of the questions that I’ve been asked over the last couple of weeks such as . . .

“What’s for dinner?” asked by Mr. Bob & #1 son. This question used to get me twisted until I read “How To Get Your Husband To Talk To You” and discovered that this one question could just be the way your man begins a conversation. My heart instantly warmed. Today, I am so grateful that it has been on this question alone that a lifetime of communication has begun. It thrills my soul when I have an answer. I do the happy dance, when I don’t have an answer and Mr. Bob or #1 son take care of it.

“This is your life. Are you who you want to be?” by Switchfoot. This is where I’d respond, as the apostle Paul did: “Absolutely not!” But I’m not who I used to be either. I’ve heard this song a million times on the radio, but having just turned the big 5-0, it seemed to be coming through the car speakers in 3-D this week. This I know: I am certainly not who I thought I’d be when I started this trip as an adult. Thanks to the books I’ve read, the people who have loved me, and the repeated surrender to my Savior, Jesus Christ, I’m way better than destiny had planned . . . or so my kids graciously tell me.

“Ever been bit by sheep?” asked an Executive Pastor during a job interview. Absolutely! It has been my experience that sheep bite out of fear. Thus they can be loved on, shepherded, and learn that biting isn’t necessary. However, it has also been my experience that goats will devour anything and everything in their path. HUGE difference between goats and sheep. Check out Matthew 25:31-33

“How are you?” asked a family friend. Several months ago, I would have responded, “Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Today, I am blessed beyond belief as the healing continues. I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who inspire me and make me laugh my head off. Sweet company, indeed.

“What are you doing today?” asked Baby Girl. Today I get to be a part of a legacy of faith. The 2011 Confirmation class of Hillside UMC, Sixes Rd UMC, and City on a Hill UMC will be coming together this weekend to begin the ride of their lives. For some this will be their first spiritual journey without their folks. For some this will be the weekend they make the most important decision of their lives to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. For some, especially those who I had the honor to teach in preschool so many years ago, they will see a Jesus freak before them again with a very familiar voice. For them all, an environment has been prayerfully and excellently prepared so that they “Ride Majestically! Ride Triumphantly! Ride on the side of Truth! Ride for the Righteous Meek!” Psalm 45:3,4

Upon a visit to every tea snob’s favorite tea room in Woodstock Georiga, I noticed a book, “100 Things I’m Not Going to Do Now That I’m Over 50,” written by Wendy Reid Crisp. I do hereby publicly agree to the following:

When I turn 50 I will not . . .

1. Show Cleavage – I remember wearing a coconut bra for an event last year and had a hard time keeping the thing above rather than at the belt line.

2. Wear inconspicuous earrings – Growing up in South Louisiana, we were raised to believe that if a little bit is good, then bigger is always better. The jewelry doesn’t even have to be real, but it does have to be gaudy.

3. Lighten up on the makeup – or leave the house without eyebrows.

4. Sing quietly – I talk loud, I hum loud, I whisper loud. It only goes to common sense that I will sing loud. If you can’t sing loud, especially in praise to Jesus, why bother.

5. Tolerate bigots – my mantra is “I just don’t see it that way.”

6. Get even – “‘Vengeance is mine,’ saith the LORD,” and I say let Him do it. He can smite and everything.

7. Avoid becoming emotional – I love deeply, so I’ll cry if I want to. And when I can’t help myself, I won’t apologize.  Just pass the tissues.

8. Put “career objective” on my resume’ – At my age it’s more important WHO I spend my time working with and for WHOM I’m working than anything else. 

9. Leave an unmade bed – The rest of the room can look like “Hoarders”, but when the bed is made, there is order in the world.

10. Travel without extra food – A habit I began when we had children that I will continue. Having served in preschool ministry for more than 20 years, no matter what time I have breakfast, snack is always at 10:30am.

I’m claiming that 50 is the new 30, especially now that I can afford to have my hair done by a “colorist” rather than a barber.

John C. Maxwell’s “Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading” showed up on our front steps on Thursday as part of Bob’s next seasonal reading endeavor for his company. During the commercials of the new Friday edition of “The Defenders,” I began perusing through the chapters since we are both students of leadership.

Chapter 2, entitled “The Toughest Person to Lead is Always Yourself,” states that one of the keys to leading yourself is to PRACTICE PATIENCE. The first paragraph goes on to say, “The leaders I know tend to be impatient. They look ahead, think ahead, and want to move ahead. And that can be good. Being one step ahead makes you a leader. However, that can also be bad. Being fifty steps ahead could make you a martyr.”

I resemble that remark. I have the battle scars of my impatience.

There is a momentum that burns within me that is fueled by several things:

1. A sense of urgency that Christ is returning soon
2. Knowing the limited number of days in the vapor of my life on this earth
3. The scriptures teach that the local church is God’s vehicle to express and give His grace and love to the world

Yes! I am impatient. Yes! It has come to bite me in the backside. Yes! I’ll probably do it again. Not because I haven’t learned my lesson, but because I am consumed with loving little people to Jesus.

Maxwell goes on to finish the paragraph with “Leaders need to remember that the point of leading is not to cross the finish line first.  It’s to take people across the finish line with you.  For that reason, leaders must deliberately slow their pace, stay connected to their people, enlist others to help fulfill the vision, and keep people going.”

Taking people across the finish line with you is the ultimate goal.  Staying connected – check.  Enlisting others to help fulfill the vision – check.  Keeping people going – check.  Slowing the pace – I guess I have some work to do.