LEAD October 2023 | Page 27

“ The leaders I see thrive with longevity are the ones who allow their habits , faithfulness , and consistency to stay true in every season , sweet or not so sweet . ”
My husband and I were having a conversation the other day , and it ’ s been something that I ’ m repeating in my head over and over . We seem to be in one of those “ sweet spot ” seasons . Not saying hardships won ’ t come , but right now , more doors seem to be opening than closing . So it feels like a sweet spot for sure . . . even if for a season .
I sometimes feel guilty even saying that because I don ’ t want it to come across as prideful . Even more so , we are just embracing it , knowing that it isn ’ t always this way . We ’ ve experienced enough seasons in our young lives already to know that to be true .
But even in these sweet spots , I said something to my husband about humility and faithfulness that I never want to let myself forget . One : I want to always work to be faithful and consistent with the habits we are working hard to continually build in our lives . Even in the smoother seasons , it ’ s important to not forget those building blocks of habit and consistency that got us here — and will continue to carry us into other seasons . Faithfulness and habits aren ’ t seasonal — they are eternal ! Two : as doors open for us , I want to quietly walk through them — and not bang down ones that aren ’ t right for me .
I mean this literally but also metaphorically . We may be leaders , but a loud leader isn ’ t always an effective leader . The one banging down doors looking for the “ next thing ” or the next group of followers to lead probably isn ’ t looking in the right areas or with the right motivations . The leaders I see thrive with longevity are the ones who allow their habits , faithfulness , and consistency to stay true in every season , sweet or not so sweet . They lead in every season , look to those ahead of them , and practice those habits even when no one is watching . Especially when no one is watching .
Speaking of habits , I ’ m not a natural at making my bed . These days , though , you could say I ’ m a reformed bed maker . Growing up , my parents reminded me a lot , and my mother taught me well . But the task was always more forced than I ’ d like to admit . Fast-forward to my married life , and I was making our bed . . . sometimes . . . yet it still wasn ’ t a priority to me . It was something my husband , Tim , really appreciated , but I still didn ’ t do it much .
“ The leaders I see thrive with longevity are the ones who allow their habits , faithfulness , and consistency to stay true in every season , sweet or not so sweet . ”
Then one day , I got a nudge — from my dad , of course . We were visiting my parents , and I ’ m sure my dad noticed from the guest room doorway that the bed was unmade . He ’ s usually slow to speak on a subject , but in passing , he said something like “ You know , it ’ s totally up to you , but I noticed you still aren ’ t great at making your bed .” He chuckled lightly as I tried to laugh it off . Then he continued , “ I know it may seem silly , but I would encourage you to do it even if only for Tim . Because I know it ’ s a nice gesture that means a lot . It ’ s not a big deal since he
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