Inspiration

I have been convicted lately that as a leader of any size group or responsibility that I need to be an inspiring leader. People have an amazing capacity to give, sacrifice, and just plain work hard when they are inspired and when they feel like what they do matters and somebody appreciates their contribution.

I am not sure I fully understand what this means for me. I think I have moments where I do this well but it seems too often I loose sight of how important it is or even how to be inspiring. It occurred to me that one way is to examine the things that inspire me. There are many things that inspire me from things as simple as cars, football or music. More complex things inspire me like relationships or people. My kids inspire me with their innocence and wonderment. My small group inspires me as I see people growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Lots of inspiration from lots of places. I am not sure if there is a common thread through all those things and maybe I should examine that more but for now I want to focus on one particular source of inspiration. In the movie As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson there is a line that has always stuck with me. It is a little disturbing that a neurotic nearly phobic-ly paralyzed character is the one I resonate with but the line is "You make me want to be a better man." For some reason that has always stuck with me. I think at our core we all are deeply aware of our shortcomings and where we do not measure up. Most of my time is spent trying to cover that up with accomplishments or false bravado. But when I get inspired it makes me want to grow, to change those things about me that are less than they should be and not just for myself but because I have found someone who deserves the very best. In that person I have found motivation to be the best I can be, to grow, and to give more. Other than my Lord Jesus Christ I have only one other person that stirs that inspiration in me and that is Brandie. So this is my humble attempt to use your name as an acronym to describe how you inspire me.

B is because you are beautiful. Your grace and mercy that pours out of you is beautiful in the face of the ugliness that is my judgemental cynicism.

R is for ready. You are always ready for any challenge that comes your way. You have a fearless strength that you can get through anything. I have seen that demonstrated so many ways, so many times this crazy year.

A as in always faithful. You give with endless love that makes me feel like my heart is glass of water next to your endless ocean.

N means naughty which I don't have to explain other than to say you excite me like nothing else ever.

D because you are devoted. As a wife, as a mother - your mission is clear and your pursue it with passion and fierceness.

I Simple put because I love you. I always have - from the first moment on that dark porch going to a softball tournament.

E - you are everything to me and I apologize a 1000 times for not letting you know that every day.

You inspire me to be a better man. Thank you.