For my final blog of 2011, I was compelled to step a little out of character and share with you the kisses I received from God over the past couple of weeks. I got a lot out of writing it, and I hope it serves to encourage you also.
I’m now well into my first year of working full-time in my own coaching and consulting practice. It has been a great stretch and not without its battle against fear and anxiety along the way about if and how it will all work. Along the way, God has consistently reminded me that he has a plan for me and stands above everything. The following experiences are further affirmations of his hand in my life:
The story starts a few weeks ago. In preparation for 2012, I had been working on a list of organizations I wanted to get in touch with and potentially come speak to them. I started with a rough list on the wall of my office and as organizations came to my attention, I would add them to my list. Two weeks ago, I received an email newsletter from the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership and it mentioned their involvement with the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi). This immediately struck me because I was a member of AKPsi in college, but had not been active or connected to the organization since then. I immediately added AKPsi to my list on the wall. At the time, I had no idea how or if I’d be able to make a connection, other than using the “Contact Us” page on their website.
Fast forward now to last Wednesday. To start, I had forgotten about a networking group meeting I had been invited to attend. My wife was not feeling well and we had all slept until almost 6:20 a.m. I thought about bailing out, but my four-year-old daughter was a “big girl” that morning and had really gotten herself ready quickly, and that made it easier for me to go.
We read the Bible every morning as a family and have been making our way through Psalms. However, this morning, I felt like reading something else and thought of one of my favorite chapters of the Bible, Luke 12. So I decided to read verses 22 through 26: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? ”
Fueled by that divine encouragement, I went to the networking meeting. I arrived to find a group of seven folks. My thoughts immediately were, “I busted my back to get here for seven people?” The meeting commenced and was enjoyable. At the end of the meeting we went around the table to reflect on 2011 and hopes for 2012. When it was her turn, a woman named Andrea started speaking about being the first President of her co-ed business fraternity. As you can imagine, my eyes jumped out of my head as I was thinking, “Was she talking about AKPsi?” When I asked her that question, she nearly jumped across the table to shake my hand. Needless to say there was an instant connection.
After the meeting we spoke some more and it turns out she also considers herself a servant leader another shared connection! If that wasn’t enough, Andrea is starting a new job as a senior leader at a local college. Another goal for 2012 is to bring my teaching and workshops to budding leaders in academia. Andrea and I are set to have coffee to discuss our AKPsi connection and how we can support one another. I don’t know where this connection will lead and clearly God is in charge of this one.
I give God all the credit for these “kisses.” There is no such thing as coincidences. God has a plan for me and He has a plan for you too. As I look into the New Year, I am at the heights of encouragement right now and I hope you are encouraged also.
Thanks for listening and please share this message with anyone who you think could use some encouragement today.
Happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year,
Jeff