Who Was That Masked Man?

Who was that masked man? This question was on my mind recently when our son and his family visited with us to celebrate our Christmas gifting with them. We have five grands, three of them foster children, and two of the "fosters" were unsure about a big, jolly man with smiling eyes and a mask covering half of his face, dressed in casual attire and not a Santa suit. They walked around and gave me a few sideways glances. However, once I spoke to them, they recognized my voice and decided it was okay to come to me even if I was not dressed as Santa.

Our Christmas celebration was a little different this year, as I am sure was the same for your families. We are usually all bunched up at our son's in-laws on Christmas eve afternoon to visit all our daughters-in-law's side of the family. We share a meal, a little dirty Santa gift exchange, then we all nestle down, snug in our beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads for a long winter's nap. Christmas morning, we rise to see what Santa left for everyone. It is always a wonderful time. However, we sorely missed the warmth of being with all our family and sharing the gift of wide-eyed, surprised, excitement children have on Christmas morning. 

But, no matter, it was the correct decision for all our families because it is virtually impossible to control something you cannot see or touch, and it is up to us as leaders in our families, communities, and organizations, to follow the guidelines and do our level best to keep everyone as safe as possible. 

As I am writing this letter, I am reminded of the importance of having spiritual leadership in our homes and lives. Spiritual leaders assume the responsibility for the health of their relationships. This means they set the tone. They must initiate what they want others to do. Because no home can thrive without functioning according to sound leadership principles. In 1 Peter, the author challenges us to live with each other in an understanding way. We should honor one another and model submission and service. As spiritual leaders, we should initiate blessing rather than retaliate when things do not go our way.

In these unprecedented times, spiritual leadership is a "must-have" and a "must-do" in our families, communities, and organizations. We must be willing to step up and show patience, kindness, humbleness, faith, hope, joy, and unconditional love for others. When Spiritual leaders lead, they remember the example of Christ's sufferings. When they shepherd, they do it out of a sense of privilege rather than obligation. When they serve, they are motivated by the will of God rather than man. When they minister, they are driven by a Godly passion, not personal gain. When they are influencing, they make sure their life example speaks clearly. And when sacrificing, they have the patience to wait for the ultimate reward and do not expect immediate pay.

In this role, a leader is called to be a minister to the people. We should serve before being served, you know, be the hands and feet of Christ. We should be a mentor to the people. We should eagerly invest our time and talents when serving the people. In other words, we must set an example for others to follow. We should be a manager of the people. We have a responsibility and should exercise oversight over those who have been entrusted in our care, not just family but all those who surround us. Finally, spiritual leaders should/must be a model for the people. We should set an example for others to follow by demonstrating how to live our lives. You know by making a difference and adding value to all those surrounding us.

I want to encourage each of us to be the example of spiritual leadership for others to follow. It has been a tough year for all of us with the uncertainties of the pandemic plaguing our lives, and each day I pray for each of us to experience good health and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ in our lives. Remember, "A leader is to humble himself or herself by casting all his/her cares on God," 1 Peter 5:7. What better way to make a difference and add value than to follow His example for our lives, just saying… 1 Peter 5:1-4

Have a wonderful day.

James Dodwell

Tell Your Story

On one particular day in February, for most of my life, my grandmother would pull me to the side and tell me a story, a story of family. She would always begin with, “It was cold, snowy day and most of the roads were closed between here and Birmingham…” then go on to say how the weather had quickly turned bad, just prior to taking my mother to the hospital, that day. She continued her tale about how my dad was in the Air Force stationed somewhere in Nebraska and was trying to get home but was stopped short in Birmingham, Al. at the bus station due to the snow. The only way for him to get home was to hitchhike, which in those days was safer, so that is what he did. 

Everyone was at the hospital waiting on my Dad and anticipating the birth of their first child. He didn’t make it in time for the birth, but he did make it later into the night. Once he arrived, his story was more vivid as he had to walk a couple of miles in the snow in sock feet because he had given his boots to a lady who was in the same predicament, trying to get home, and all she had was high heels. Well, they both caught the same truck into town, he got his shoes back and she went on to south Alabama. The story was something special to my grandmother because it spoke of the determination and strength of the human spirit when a person sets their mind to make something seemingly impossible happen.

Every year the story was enhanced somewhat with the snow getting deeper, the distance walked in sock feet became a little further, the temperature a little lower, and so on and so forth, but all in all, the story and the outcome was basically the same. I remember as I grew older how much I did not like being told the same story year after year, but my grandmother revelled in the telling it so I would patiently listen, eyes rolling, waiting for it to end so I could escape the unwanted attention. Some of the details are vague when it comes to the story because, after a while, I quit listening, but the memory of the joy it brought my grandmother to enlighten me and anyone within earshot, is crystal clear in my mind.

As I ponder this memory, I recall how uncomfortable it made me to be the center of attention for just a moment in time on those birthday celebrations, long ago and how much I did not want to hear the story. However, today as I remember those times, years after the passing of my parents and grandparents, I think I would like to hear the story, a story of family, shared just once more, poured out with all the joy, happiness and love in the words and voice of my grandmother.

We all have a story. Our life is filled with memories of good things and bad things, happy times and sad times, times of success and times of failure, times of celebration and times of sacrament. These stories mold and shape our lives and make us who we are. Our past experiences, if evaluated can help us to stretch and grow to reach our potential in life. We need to take the time to evaluate our experiences, to dissect the events, use the knowledge, our stories and the teachable moments to provide us with wisdom to help us become an example for others to make a difference and add value. 

Jesus conveyed His wisdom to His followers through parables or stories used to illustrate examples of unconditional love, joy, faith, and hope. As leaders, wisdom can be our best friend, especially in times of decision. For example, He teaches us through the telling of the stories such as the Ten Talents in Matthew 25, which is near and dear to my heart because at times, I am the one who buried his talent under a stone and I need to be reminded on occasions we are gifted skills and talents to share not hoard. 

Wisdom gifts us a foundation that helps us draw conclusions at times we have an impasse in our lives. As leaders, we need to understand the foundation for every decision is to honor and revere God. The story above is sort of my heritage, it is mine and mine alone, but I have found it to be useful, especially when I can tell it to our grandchildren and share with them the determination and love of family it describes. We must build off this heritage and conscience to illustrate what values we need to embrace. As leaders, as we pursue wisdom, we first go to the facts, then to our options. Once we have a consensus of mind and heart, then we must move toward inward peace.

I encourage each of us to tell our stories. Use these precious moments to share with others about how God has enlightened us to the fact we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image to make a difference and add value to all those surrounding us. Psalm 139:14

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell