Like Nehemiah :)

Happy Wednesday, bloggers! 

I hope the week's gone well for all of you, even if it's one of the abbreviated work weeks like mine has been. It's certainly been a roller coaster week for us, but there've been more highs than lows, and for that I'm grateful. 

Tonight after work, we were able to convene with our small group and transfer guardianship of the two boxes for the foster graduates. I'm excited to hear how they're received. 

Something that we covered tonight in small group that resonated with me; bear with me - this isn't long, I promise, but it's certainly worth the recall on a later day, I'm sure. 

Scott walked us through the book of Nehemiah tonight, focusing primarily on Nehemiah himself, and the qualities that defined him as the leader, prayer-warrior and consistently faithful person he was. We centered our study tonight around Nehemiah's journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls and restore the inner city. 

I can't imagine. Seriously.
The journey there, in a time where Uber, Mapquest and anything faster than a horse or camel didn't exist. We're talking miles.. and miles.. and miles of walking. 

Then there was the matter of obtaining all the things he'd requested from King Artaxerxes: letters ahead of him requesting protection. A calvary of bodyguards. Timber & material to rebuild the walls and gates. Other people to go along and help. Things requested from a king during a time in which you could very literally lose your head if the King felt slighted or upset with you for any reason. Talk about confidence! 

We dissected Nehemiah's experience through the 52 days it took to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, and I realized that although the [literal] work itself is so very different, the principles of leadership, discernment, trust, confidence, faith, endurance, consistency and resistance are tried, true and timeless. 

First and foremost, Nehemiah was a prayer warrior. That in itself is a step on which I fall short more often than I care to admit. Sure, I pray, but when I'm being honest, I can't say that it's always the first thing I think to do when I'm caught off guard. It's one of the first, but it's not the first. 

Then, he's a leader by example and participation. You know, one of those working manager types. The coach that gets on the field and does the drills with the team. The teacher that gives the instruction and then provides individual attention until the whole class understands at the same level. Nehemiah was a tutor, trainer and humble servant, all wrapped up into one man, powered by God, purposed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 

Love

Joy
Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness
Gentleness 

& Self-Control 

[wait, those sound familiar.... ;) ]

Just some things I've been reflecting on since we left tonight. I am not the first person I would think of if asked who I knew that exhibits all of these boldly, daily, and because of that, I know I need to work on it. 

For now, I wish joy and peace to each of you for the rest of the week! 

outside our house ♥

xo | cmd