Step Up and Step Out...

Of late, there have been many instances and experiences in my life that have been leading me to take a closer look at giving, caring and leading...



One experience, of course, has to do with my Mother, as she gets older, and is facing challenges in coping with everyday life.



Another has been observing a friend step up when it came to his attention that a brand new colleague had a young daughter suffering from leukemia, after the family had already lost one child to this terrible disease.



My friend stunned us all by taking it upon himself to host a fundraiser for this family, already struggling with crippling medical bills - what began as an idea and motivation to HELP led to an amazing fundraising event help this month that raised over $14,000.00 for this family plus several other amazing benefits, like people or corporations offering to pay their utility bills, etc.



I observed my friend fight day after day, week after week to go out, no matter what, to promote this cause and lead to its ultimate enormous success - and what I said to him at the end was - "Do you realise why people are so overwhelmed by what you did? Nobody does this - most wouldn't think of going to this level of effort for their family/friends much less someone who was essentially a stranger!""



That experience opened my eyes to what we each can do and attain for others if we just TRY!!!



Another experience has been with two organizations that I am a part of that really are in need of a re-investment of PASSION and SPIRIT among our members...



A phenomenal individual I know and love has been demonstrating to me that HOPE is never lost - if you GIVE of yourself, of your own PASSION, SPIRIT and EXCITEMENT for helping others and leading others to their true potential you can reignite the FIRE!!!!



He recently shared with me a book on Leadership - calling me to the awareness that our communities, families, organizations and societies need people to step up and LEAD others!!!



My church, Flamingo Road Church, has also been focussing on Leadership as they strive towards our mission and purpose of "partnering with others to reach their God-potential".... Just this past week, if you go through the archive of teachings on our Daily Devotional Blog at http://www.frcliveonline.blogspot.com/ , you will see the huge NEED for people to step up and step out as Leaders, Givers, and Care-Givers in our society!



So what's my point? Good question! I do feel 'called' to Step up and Step out! I feel called to true Servant Leadership - leading others by serving their benefit as opposed to my own... or as the Scripture says:



Deuteronomy 15: 10

"Give generously to others and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to"

Proverbs 31: 10-15, 17, 20

"A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

and she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls."

17 "She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks."

20 "She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy."

Do you see what I mean - we are called to serve our families;

We are called to serve our communities and we do that best by stepping up

and stepping out - in FAITH - and a willingness to work hard for others...



That made me really go back and take a closer look at today's teaching "Qualities of a Leader"

on http://www.frcliveonline.blogspot.com/:



1. Have a good reputation

2. Have a strong marriage (if married)

3. Shows great self-control

4. Friendly and approachable

5. Cares for the comfort of others

6. Knowledgeable

7. Sober

8. Gentle

9. Confident

10. Money-wise

11. Controls the calendar/results

12. A great parent (if one)



That made me really take a good look at myself - Am I ready for this? No!!!! I have alot of work to do - but I DO know that with God's help, I can overcome my personal obstacles, grow and develop into the person God calls me to be - someone who fights each day to be better and do more!!!!



That actually gave me a roadmap or an Action Plan to get started on this journey - and I have to tell you, I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Thank You God, for guidance and direction - for putting people in my life that teach and inspire me - for using them to show me YOUR way, and for opening my heart to serving YOU through serving others!!!