Silver Lining...
D'ja ever have to do something that you didn't feel was a good idea... and participate and support, even though you felt it was an organized mess?
I've struggled with my newest calling; from the leadership over me, to the organization of fundraisers, to just plain old personality differences.
Throughout the planning (or the lack of) of this big fundraiser, the YW president has mostly been in charge. Lack of communication, planning, and realistic expectations had most of us involved, frustrated and ready to quit. The past few days, however, the YM president (gruff retired military colonel)decided to take a more active role. (read: Step in and BOSS everyone.) In his defense.. SOMEONE had to make some real decisions, but he didn't go about it in a kind manner... he did it in MILITARY STYLE! YW pres still thought she was making decisions...so it got messy messy.
The thing I wanted to post about tonight, though, was a wonderful thing that I discovered today.
This gruff, older-military, seemingly-overbearing YM president worked his butt off yesterday and today, loading, shifting, arranging, making trips back and forth, without a single complaint. He was gruff and straight to the point--man-with-a-mission... true to his gender the entire day. I heard complaints of offense and frustration with his gruffness...all from the feminine side of the fence. Even I, being extremely overtired from the previous nights slumber party of 8 extra giggly girls, felt agitated at the lack of communication between our "leaders"...attributing a good portion of my agitation to Mr. CrankBoss.
Tonight, well after the fundraiser was over, he arrived at my door, picking up tables and tarps and canopy tents... loading it into the trailer to take back to the church. I was amazed that he was STILL at it... working well into the twilight hours...as I relaxed and put my feet up at home.I walked out to the garage to help him load the tables and decided to mention how grateful for how hard he worked today. He mumbled about how happy he was that so many people showed up.. blah blah blah... deflecting any compliments that I sent his way. Finally, I said that without his leading us and organizing us, we could never have accomplished what we did today. I also thanked him for all his sacrifice..
He actually blushed. A small smile slowly spread over his face... and he thanked me for those words.
I saw him through different eyes, and realized that with all that blustering, gruff exterior, there was a big teddy bear there--- just trying to serve the Lord the best he knows how...and appreciated being recognized for his hard work.
What an experience for me.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."--Mother Teresa
I've struggled with my newest calling; from the leadership over me, to the organization of fundraisers, to just plain old personality differences.
Throughout the planning (or the lack of) of this big fundraiser, the YW president has mostly been in charge. Lack of communication, planning, and realistic expectations had most of us involved, frustrated and ready to quit. The past few days, however, the YM president (gruff retired military colonel)decided to take a more active role. (read: Step in and BOSS everyone.) In his defense.. SOMEONE had to make some real decisions, but he didn't go about it in a kind manner... he did it in MILITARY STYLE! YW pres still thought she was making decisions...so it got messy messy.
The thing I wanted to post about tonight, though, was a wonderful thing that I discovered today.
This gruff, older-military, seemingly-overbearing YM president worked his butt off yesterday and today, loading, shifting, arranging, making trips back and forth, without a single complaint. He was gruff and straight to the point--man-with-a-mission... true to his gender the entire day. I heard complaints of offense and frustration with his gruffness...all from the feminine side of the fence. Even I, being extremely overtired from the previous nights slumber party of 8 extra giggly girls, felt agitated at the lack of communication between our "leaders"...attributing a good portion of my agitation to Mr. CrankBoss.
Tonight, well after the fundraiser was over, he arrived at my door, picking up tables and tarps and canopy tents... loading it into the trailer to take back to the church. I was amazed that he was STILL at it... working well into the twilight hours...as I relaxed and put my feet up at home.I walked out to the garage to help him load the tables and decided to mention how grateful for how hard he worked today. He mumbled about how happy he was that so many people showed up.. blah blah blah... deflecting any compliments that I sent his way. Finally, I said that without his leading us and organizing us, we could never have accomplished what we did today. I also thanked him for all his sacrifice..
He actually blushed. A small smile slowly spread over his face... and he thanked me for those words.
I saw him through different eyes, and realized that with all that blustering, gruff exterior, there was a big teddy bear there--- just trying to serve the Lord the best he knows how...and appreciated being recognized for his hard work.
What an experience for me.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."--Mother Teresa
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