Margins and Mentors
Went out to breakfast with my friend and mentor, Dick Foth. We hit the little breakfast joint at Eastern Market--favorite place to break fast. Great food and great conversation. I've been feeling the stress lately, but a conversation with Foth is like a deep breath. Talked about everything from church to family. So grateful for a sounding board in my life.
One of the great challenges leaders face is growing on all fronts. When we're growing in one dimension of our lives we often neglect another area. Not easy to grow physically, relationally, occupationally, and spiritually all at the same time! And the tendency is to neglect the most important things in favor of the most urgent things. |
Someone recently asked me the greatest challenge I'm facing in my life right now. The answer is easy: margin. During this writing season I feel like every inch of margin was used for writing. Look forward to larger margins in the coming months.
5 Comments:
Sometimes the things that are written in the margins are more important than those in bold print. Thanks for the reminder about balance.
Love your honesty. Boundaries is a great book (Townsend/Cloud). Exodus 18 and Acts 6 are great Bible stories. Sorry, gotta pitch the multiplication concept in Me To We (Group Pub).
Thanks for sharing, Mark!
Alan Nelson
www.rev.org
Hey Mark!
This is Carlie from the Innovative Leadership Experience with Dr. Rhoden. Just wanted to thank you again for taking time out of your day to meet with us! We all agreed that we gained much insight and were refreshed by your passion for your ministry. It was definitely a highlight of our trip. Thanks again, we sincerely appreciated it!!
Carlie
Hi there, Mark!
Like Carlie, I just wanted to also thank you for spending your afternoon with us Leadership Experience people. I appreciated your heart and wisdom so much. I was definitely challenged to keep becoming an excellent individual "willing to go the extra mile" and love God and love people more. Thank you so much for being an honest example of leadership.
Blessings!
- Chrysta
Amen to that! As I am sitting in the basement of Ebz right now I am blown away at ALL of the areas God is challenge me to grown in. I feel really good about the 'margins' I have...even with the overwhelming stress I feel day to day. I firmly believe that my ability to close my eyes at night and know that I RIGHT WHERE GOD wants me is:
1. The biggest one is my recent choice to really place emphasis on 'remembering the Sabbath' and having that day of rest (this one guidepost is a critical element to maintaining my margins)
2. An amazing women in my life (Sharon) who encourages me and loves me despite my bone-headed decisions sometimes
3. A mentor who is reminds me of what I am called to and keeps me grounded
4. Some amazing friends and leaders at NCC who I don't think realize how big a part they are playing in God's vision for the Simon's...
Wow, 3 of my 4 are all about relationship and actually #1 is about the vertical relationship. See I am even learning things as I type. Our family prays you and Lora (and the kids) daily and I am thrilled to be a part of God’s journey for your family and NCC.
IHG
David
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