When God hands you a paintbrush
I’ve been painting the whole inside of my house. 3,000 square feet of trim, doors, walls and ceilings – 2 coats on everything. There are 7 people that live in my house – 4 of them are kids. It’s been 5 years since it’s been painted and being that there is no “Dave Ramsey Envelope” with enough cash to hire someone to take this daunting task off my hands, I have gladly taken up the paint brush. And of course my dear hubby who feels so incredibly honored that I would devote my days to this chore has stepped in a to help bear the burden.
Here’s what makes me laugh. The remarks I get: You just love to stay busy. Do I dream about painting? Wow, I really know how to turn a house upside down. The house should be well insulated with all those coats of paint. You’re painting again???? No one will notice that door being a half shade off – why paint it? Why do you always have to have projects going? I can’t wait till you put this house back together….and….and…and…
Why is it that people who have nothing invested in what I’m doing complain about what I’m doing? How is it that what I’m doing wears others out? Why is it so inconvenient for everyone but the those of us who are taking the time out of our lives to do the chore? What is so wrong with wanting the things that God has given me to shine and be beautiful?
Leaders, how often do we make the mistake of rolling our eyes at people when we should be patting them on the back and recognizing honorable hard work. When we should be offering a steaming hot cup of coffee (chai for me) to re-energize the weary. Not everyone can delegate at all times. Nor should we. Sometimes God wants us to do the work – to feel the pain in our muscles, to stink from the sweat. There are huge lessons to be learned when we come down off the mountain of leadership and take up space in the battlefield. For most of us it’s the lesson of understanding and empathy. Appreciation becomes genuine when we can honestly say “I’ve been there brother”. Strategies can be reshaped in cutting edge ways because of personal experience. Innovation happens when we tire of the blisters.
So before you waste another breath judging how another approaches projects, look around, you might find a paintbrush with your name on it. After all, virtual tours don’t impact us as deep as the time spent in the arena of blood, sweat and tears.
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