Learning to be more relational

I am a very task-oriented person. It's easy for my brain to be go go go. Focused on what's next and what still needs to be done. It's satisfying for me to cross things off of a to-do list and feel productive.I'm constantly generating lists and will even make lists of (good) things to do on my days off. While this can be beneficial and is often a helpful thing for me to stay focused, it can be a hindrance as well.

I have been so encouraged by my coworker Brooke and her faith. From working with her I'm stretched so often to put that list mentality on the back burner and open my eyes to the people to love around us. I'm reminded that you can't treat people like a to-do list. They're real and they need real time, care, love, and intention.

I'll share a quick story that stopped me in my to-do list tracks.

It's been a long day in the office, we have to leave at 3:30 because the school offices are closing but we're overwhelmed with work that we still need to finish before calling it a day. So as we walk home up the hill, we're talking out what else we still need to do and Brooke stops mid conversation to notice a mom carrying her sick baby outside of the clinic. And right there, without hesitation, used what creole she knew to ask the mom how the baby was and to pray. Brooke took a moment to step away from her agenda and step into what the Holy Spirit was promoting her to do. You see God has a far better, more eternal agenda going on that I so often neglect. It would have been so easy for me to tell the lady good afternoon in creole and walk right by. In fact, that's probably exactly what would have happened if Brooke wasn't walking with me. Instead, that lady was given a little hope as Brooke pleaded to the Father on her behalf for His presence in her life and for the healing of her precious child.

 I'm so thankful to be working with such Christlike staff and for the way I'm constantly growing in my faith here.

Oh that I would shift my eyes from my own agenda to be in tune with the agenda of the Father; rescuing his people back to Himself. That I wouldn't be so caught up in my selfish world of to-do lists; fleeting list of things added and crossed off that never seem to end, that I miss out on all God has set before me.