Coming up with ideas isn’t the issue — it’s the corralling them into manageable groupings for potentional implementation that creates the dilemma.
Basically, I tend to juggle too many ideas at the same time.
Narrowing them down requires a fair amount of assessment, which means purposefully stalling the start times of each of them to appropriately prioritize all of them.
As you might have imagined, I’m a quick start personality type, so intentionally holding back takes enormous discipline.
Intentional down time
However, I’m determined to gift our team at TAB Media Group with a more routine and steady existence these next few weeks as we focus our minds, hearts and energy on Christmas.
Routine in our world means not only holding off on implementing new strategies or systems, but also avoiding planning for them, thinking about them and even hearing they exist.
My love and appreciation for our team makes it an easy decision to wait until 2025 to share the ever-expanding slate of ideas that have surfaced these past two and a half months as I’ve been recovering from the trimalleolar ankle fracture and dislocation.
Being restricted on activities definitely provides more space for the mind to be creative and think beyond the regimented daily routines.
One concept that keeps swirling in my mind is that of shortages, and I’m not alone.
Alabama Baptist State Convention President Craig Carlisle often references a deep concern over the shortage of ministers.
School systems consistently plead for more bus drivers.
The medical industry talks frequently about the need for more nurses.
You’ve likely run into situations influenced by shortages too, such as finding affordable child care, reliable help with aging family members, timely counseling appointments, and quality food service workers.
It seems, for the most part, the areas suffering the most revolve around caring for others, but I can’t quite figure out why.
Why so many shortages?
Is it the sheer volume of needs all around us? Or maybe the inability to focus because of the nonstop flow of discouraging news bombarding us from every angle?
Are we struggling to maintain hope for ourselves much less encourage, motivate and help others in the process?
Could we simply be exhausted mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally and spiritually?
If so, what if we all chose to pull back in as many areas as possible these next few weeks to rest and regulate?
What if we truly gave our schedules, interests, concerns and ideas to the Lord and asked Him to guide us regarding how to prioritize and organize?
With a calm spirit and courage to trust where the Lord leads, we can be part of the solution to the various shortages we face.
The Lord reminded me of this in such a sweet and simple way a few days ago.
Jason and I are like you in that we intentionally seek out ways to help others, especially during the Christmas season.
As the needs within the families on our radar grew beyond what we could handle, it easily could have discouraged us.
But the Lord has shown up in so many unexpected and incredible ways this year that my first instinct truly was to release it to Him. I didn’t know how He would take care of it, but I chose to wait and see.
Looking for His guidance
About a week later, a friend pulled me aside and said she couldn’t stop thinking about the needs of one of the families we had mutually helped. She wanted me to know she had recruited others for the effort, and they were taking care of everything.
Her sensitivity to the Holy Spirit showcased the work of the Lord to all of us involved and expanded the effort beyond what we thought possible.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This editorial was written by Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group, for her Rashional Thoughts column and will appear in the Dec. 12 edition of The Alabama Baptist newspaper. To subscribe, click here.
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