One day at a time…my journey…to understanding

The melodious whistling from the busy street just outside my office window, pierced my consciousness as I was reading about parenting.  Just a few strains of “One day at a time, sweet Jesus,” was all I needed in the very moment as I leaned in, closed my eyes and reflected on the apt timing. 

Little Mr Lizard is peeking out at the world from the safety of a borrowed bird house and taking it one day at time.

I once asked a colleague if she could hear the whistling in the mornings at about 9:00 a.m. and she had never heard it.  Our office faces the busy Half Way Tree Road, in Kingston bustling with the sounds of constant movement, honking horns and the clamour of ‘sidemen’ wooing potential passengers.  Perhaps it is true that you only hear what is meant for you through God’s divine design, despite the noise. 

I was in the middle of reading an article written by Maye Musk, mother of three successful children including electric vehicle manufacturer and business magnate, Elon Musk.  What wouldn’t I want to learn from a woman who had reaped enviable success with her children?  She emphasized teaching the children responsibility, letting them complete their university forms themselves and involving them in the family business from an early age.  Furthermore she stressed good manners. 

For weeks I had been agonizing over the outcome of my parenting skills and expectations, only to be told in various ways to take it… one day at a time. 

Later on, I bumped into a writing about how God comes to meet women where they are.  There were really powerful examples in the Bible.  Women, it seems never have the luxury of leaving babies, meals and homes and a myriad of chores to head to a quiet, secluded escape and even if they did, all the responsibilities would come galloping after them if not physically, most certainly in their heads. 

Jesus met women at wells, in their homes, and at bedsides.  Today, he met me at my desk.   How many times do we worry about the future?   What will the children turn out to be?  How can I make sure that my investment of time, energy and training will have the most certain outcome of good success and achievement?  Then I pulled a thought from my Promise Box which read When you do all you can, God will do what you can’t. 

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The object lesson which jumped into my week of musings was the story found in Matthew 14:30 of Peter walking on the water towards Jesus, while the winds were contrary and the sea boisterous.  My nuggets, together with gentle encouragement are as follows:

1. Impatience is a storm that brings winds of irritability.  You will have to deal with this storm.
2. Fear makes us bury each other and our talent during the storm.
3. Step out of the boat and let faith invade your storm.
4. Don’t be anxious. Take the training. Don’t let the storm stop you.
5. Keep moving and doing …and walk ‘on’ your storm by focusing on Jesus, the source of your strength.
6. The goal in parenting isn’t perfection.  It’s progress. 
7. You don’t eat the fruit the same day you plant the seed.

What are your thoughts about leadership in every aspect of your life and building one block at a time?

#leadership #leadingyourself #parenting

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