Blog
This past weekend I had a fantastic time at the Group Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago. I learned an eye-opening lesson at a Chicago pizza place (yum yum) on my way to the hotel.
I was eating by myself and couldn’t help but overhear the conversation of the couple sitting at the table next to me. Or rather, lack of conversation. The husband was on his cell phone the entire time they were waiting for their food, and while he had some cute interactions with his young child at the table once the food actually arrived, on the family’s way out of the restaurant, he spoke to his wife in a sharp tone of voice — a more sharp tone of voice than I think my husband has ever used with me.
Two hours later, I was walking through the conference exhibit hall and guess who was one of the exhibitors. Yup, pizza place guy.
I don’t always talk to my children or husband in the tone of voice I wish, so I’m not trying to pass judgment. But I guess I’m extra aware these days that you never know who’s watching. I want to do my best to be the mom, wife, and leader I really want to be both in public and private. And I’m so glad God’s grace covers those times when I fall short (which happens on a regular basis).
It reminds me of the disappointment a high school guy shared with me when he went surfing with his youth pastor and his youth pastor ignored someone who was homeless and begging for money because he was in a hurry to get to the waves. This happened a week after this youth pastor had challenged his students to show kindness to folks who are homeless. The kid wasn’t mad — just disappointed.
It’s hard to be a leader. May God give us grace to be the followers of Jesus He wants us to be. And may we experience God’s grace when we aren’t.
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March 1st, 2010 at 9:21 am
Hi Kara,
It’s amazing to see how The Lord catches out attention about the things we sometimes we give least attention to. I have been realizing just how easy it is to fall into the trap of the do as I say and not as I do syndrome when it come to leadership. Most times this does not happen intentionally but can become part of pattern of habits that I overlook as I spend time with the kids from my youth group.
I found myself in a very similar situation as the Pastor and homeless guy story not too long ago. Since then I have done some adjusting to my overall attitude and the kind of example I set both in public and private, thanks again for the reminder