Servant Leaders

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 271: Today, I am grateful for a servant leaders.

My favorite leaders are servant leaders. 

There are so many ways to assess and determine leaders and potential leaders. Keep in mind... there is a difference between leadership and being in charge. 

The world is full of people who love to boss others around. In our human nature we all like things done "our way". Even babies have strong demands that reflect such a nature. With infants, it is  "my way or the wrong way" from the way we hold them to how they are fed. Some people keep that opinion their entire lives. 

Mama Ina Mae always said, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." That is not meant to offend cat lovers... and Mama Ina Mae has rescued and saved many kittens and cats over the years. It is simply an old saying... dating back to the 1850's and Mark Twain used it in his "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" in 1989. There is almost always more than one way to get something done. 

Service can be a beautiful predecessor to leadership. As I have mentioned before, our Jr. High does a "Help-a-thon" that is for some, their first act of public service outside of home, family or church. Service is contagious. Why? Because, we were designed for relationships. On the morning of Tuesday, October 3, 2017, look for 480 red t-shirts in service spots all over Morton. Not all education is learned in the classroom. Students and staff reflect on it as one of the best days of the year. 

Most of us learn...  not by watching... but when someone slows down and takes the time to  work with us. This is why our grandparents can be such precious teachers. Side-by-side. Encouraging someone validates what is right, and what they will improve on with practice. Servant leaders change the world and are long remembered when they are gone. Mother Teresa is one of my favorites.

Our congregation has a long history of mentoring young quilters in the age old art. Such a sweet thing to see. 

Our US military teaches within its ranks the value of brotherhood and servant leadership. We just watched "Sully" about the plane landing in the Hudson River. Wow! Two military pilots who kept their cool and led 155 souls to safety. Capt. Sully and co-pilot Jeff Skiles were in the mode of "no man left behind".  Sully, as the highest ranking officer on board, fretted and finally cried when told all 155 we accounted for...  safe and sound. He didn't leave until he checked and checked again that all had been cleared from the plane that would surely sink.  Servant leaders. Sully created Jeff Skiles as the partner he was on that fateful day. 

Our Jesus... Savior but not unwilling to serve. He turned a few fish and loaves of bread into enough to feed the masses. He healed the sick. He raised the dead... and we will rise again, because of his service. He washed his disciples feet and he left the Holy Spirit so that we would have continued closeness with Him. Servant leader. 

This verse comes up again:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. -1 Peter 4:10

If you want to make the world a better place... start with one small act of service. 

Today, I am grateful for a servant leaders.