From James Dodwell - Hammers of Hope
Good Morning,
The journal lay opened on my desk as I sat down to begin my
day and at the top of the exposed page are the words, “Everyday is a gift from
God, enjoy it, use it like it is your last, because once it’s gone all you have
are the memories, spend your time wisely.” I don’t remember writing them but
they are in my hand. I don’t remember when but this particular journal was
started around 2010 when my other journal was filled so it is within the last
five and a half years and change. I do remember why, because the words made an
impression on me. I have hundreds of torn pieces of paper, napkins, backs of
envelopes piled in a box with quotes, paragraphs, thoughts written in haste in
a deer stand waiting to be transferred into a journal one day. Even the staff
at the dry cleaner I visit save these writings when they find them in my
pockets for me to pick up with my freshly laundered pants and shirts. They
always smile politely when they return them to me clipped to a business card
for a local psychiatrist.
My response to them is always, “You know if I had any
feelings they would be hurt, right now.” They laugh; I laugh and then wait
until I drive out of their line of sight before I look at the slip of paper to
see what is written on it. Words are powerful. Sharp, cutting remarks to
a friend or an associate can end a friendship or relationship, while an
encouraging, kind word can create a life-long friendship and relationship. It’s
all in our delivery. As leaders, we understand the delivery aspect. Our walk
and our actions are guidelines to help others become more than they thought
they could become helping them to reach their potential. We find ways to change
ourselves so that our change reflects the message we want to deliver, because
we know it is much easier to change us than to change others.
It is a partnership of sorts, a bond, a relationship created
overtime and molded into a coming together in our thinking, understanding and
trust; with trust being the most important piece. This “servanthood” to each
other helps us with the understanding to get ahead in life we have to put
others first. We develop into a “foot washer” per say. Our leadership should be
about service to others rather than accumulating wealth and power for oneself.
When we model this leadership quality it help’s others to see the contribution
of every man and woman’s gift. It reminds us that God is the true source of every
good gift. It promotes goodwill in potential allies. It enables us to better
prepare for the future by making good friends in the present. And it develops a
nationwide value of mutual benefit and good faith among all the people.
As I stretch and grow myself, maturing as a leader I think I
want to become known as:
Thoughtful rather than gifted;
Loving verses quiet and bright;
Gentle over being powerful;
A good listener more than a great communicator;
Available rather than a hard worker;
Sacrificial rather than successful;
Reliable not famous;
Content more than driven;
Self-controlled rather than exciting;
Generous rather than rich and;
Compassionate more than competent; in other words, I want
to be a foot washer.
I encourage each of us today to know that God calls every
leader to be a servant but not every servant is to be a leader. May we, as
leaders, understand we are first a servant of the Lord, than an example, then a
proclaimer and communicator of the Good News. May it be our mission to allow
this to shine out into the world for others to see as we share our faith, love,
hope and joy within to those without. It will make a difference and add value
to others. John 13:1-17
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