director of the everyday, tedious, and mundane

In one of two book clubs which I am a member, we were discussing contentment. Many people spend their life looking forward to the next thing - when I...am older...married...have kids...am finished with school...retire...change jobs. When..the kids are older...

You get the picture. We think we will be content "when" - which really means "we will be content when?"

I have done this - looking forward to when, rather than finding contentment in the present.

But, that is not my current struggle. My current struggle is looking back. When my life was my ministry. When I woke each morning with a strong sense of purpose. When my days were consumed by a calling much bigger than I. When I was living the adventure with those who were consumed by it too. Aahhh, those were the days...when can I get back to that?

Though the question is different, the result is the same. DISCONTENT.

Through the course of the subsequent months I have been trying to root out my discontent. My biggest struggle is my job. I have a good job, it just doesn't engage my heart the way previous work did. I am the director of everyday, mundane, and tedious responsibilities. I shuffle paper from one place to another, write emails and answer phones. The decisions that are made between the paper shuffling and professional communications do make a difference to many who are doing good, life-saving work. 

So, I show up each day and try to convince myself that it matters that I am sitting in my desk chair shuffling paper, responding to email and answering phones. I try to follow Jehoshaphat's instructions to ancient judges to "serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord." 

I want to be skilled at my work, but also satisfied with the task. I am asking God to change my heart. In place of restlessness, put peace. In place of discontent, put satisfaction. I must stop looking back and press on...toward whatever lies ahead.

just Sheri, reaching for the title of "surprisingly satisfied"

just read: Outliers

I read a lot. In fact I am currently a member of not one, but two book clubs...and I still have books I am reading independently.

There is one book I read this year that I have thought about again and again - Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.

This book has pertinent lessons in assertive communication - which is really important to leadership and relationship.

The author proposes that to be an expert at anything we must spend 10,000 hours practicing - which is really important when learning a new skill or encouraging those who think they cannot be successful. I used this concept with my students - "get up try again, keep practicing, you CAN succeed!"

The major concept, I will let the author describe in his own words:


"When outliers become outliers it is not just because of their own efforts. It's because of the contributions of lots of different people and lots of different circumstances— and that means that we, as a society, have more control about who succeeds—and how many of us succeed—than we think. That's an amazingly hopeful and uplifting idea." (taken from an interview found at www.gladwell.com).

I think another Gladwell book will make the reading list in the near future.

What do you think of this concept: no one succeeds on their own and we can contribute to the success of others?

just Sheri, grateful to all of my contributors

Marital Communications 501: Star Wars

One of my joys in life is exposing the Hubs to new experiences. The hotel where we spent our honeymoon had a video library. I picked out "West Side Story" and convinced Kenyon to watch it by telling him it is a movie about street gangs. I failed to mention the gang fights were lyrical, choreographed street dances.

I got him to watch "Sound of Music" by telling him it was a World War II movie (he is a WWII buff). True, that is the context of the movie, but (again) I failed to mention the singing and dancing. I used a similar tactic for "Gone with the Wind." At the end of that experience he said, "I total misjudged that movie!" He actually enjoyed the story after the multi-hour investment of time.

Our latest movie adventure is Star Wars. Yes, the Hubs is 35 years old and NEVER seen Star Wars. It came up because there was a joke referencing Darth Vader that he didn't understand. So, recently we have spent a couple of nights watching classic Star Wars movies.

I can tell you from experience that watching a grown man experience Star Wars for the first time is highly entertaining. He provides a unique perspective...to say the least. (apologies in advance to Star Wars fans)

About R2-D2:

K: What is the purpose of that rolling trash can?

I am not enough of a fan to be able to effectively defend R2-D2, but I can honestly say I did not see the resemblance to a trash can until the Hubs pointed it out.

About Jabba the Hut:

K: Why are they afraid of that fat earthworm?

I can't explain why Jabba the Hut is powerful...nor did I previously see him as an earthworm, but now I see the coloring, shape and motion do resemble a worm.

The Hubs has always provided a unique perspective.

just Sheri, enlightened

What would you do for love? part 2

In a previous post I asked the question: "what would you do for love?" At the time, we were making a sacrificial choice for family born of the heart. I deeply love this family, they are still an important part of my life.

Some folks questioned this choice, asking why any of this was my responsibility. They often told me the responsibility should belong to someone else. I wrote about this in a post titled, who's responsible?

I am facing a similar situation today. There has been a young woman who recently entered our lives. She is experiencing a tough time. In recent months we have provided food, shelter, rides, and companionship. It doesn't matter that we are not related and, frankly, didn't know one another a couple of months ago.

I believe when someone is in need we should do what we can to help them. I am trying to live out that belief. Is it easy? Not at all. Is it rewarding? Rarely. Is it important? I believe it is of the utmost importance -a matter of life and death - and of eternal value.

I write this post, not to brag on myself - but to encourage others to do what they can for another. It matters a LOT. Be there for someone. They need you.

just Sheri, attempting to be there for another

Kindness Boomerang video