This week was an especially difficult one at work. We are working through a personnel issue I'm not at liberty to share. But this experience has brought up a lot of feelings of fear and misunderstanding, amidst what has felt like an unending effort to find some kind of peaceful resolution.

Our company is committed to the support of nonprofits and the social causes they represent. We have a passion for not only their work, but our reputation as a trustworthy company. Some would say that all we have in life ultimately is the legacy we leave behind. So it is no surprise that, at a time like this, we feel a strong desire to protect and defend ourselves.

But in my experience, I've found the more I assume the mantle of responsibility for my reputation, the more anxious I feel. There is much about this situation that is frankly out of my control. I cannot prevent someone from approaching our competitors, our clients, the media, or our employees. I cannot control what they say, how they say it, how often they say it, when they say it, or to whom they say it.

...

Continue Reading

I have been learning how to be a good listener. One of the best clues I have gotten about listening has been to not judge people while they are talking but instead to listen with wonder. When I think in terms of wonder it makes it much easier for me to really pay attention to what is being said. When I notice I’m making a judgment then I actively switch my thinking to, “I wonder what it is like to be...”

I’ve also noticed that few people want you to offer them an opinion. It’s also true that few people actually need my opinion. The opinion we need is the Lord's thoughts and guidance. As...

Continue Reading

Last week all of the ECSW staff members were in Dallas for the week. I had excitement and anticipation as the week approached. It is not often that we are all in the same place, so even though we regularly “see” each other it is usually over a computer screen. I wanted our time to be productive, encouraging and worth the effort and expense that it took to get everyone together.

I was a little thrown off when right out of the chute Monica and her husband Matthew were delayed 25 hours in their travel plans. One of my five, highly anticipated days, disappeared right before my eyes. That was Monday. Then on Tuesday when we finally had our...

Continue Reading

This weekend, my husband and I were flying from Toronto to Dallas, by way of Chicago. Our simple day of travel was turned on its head when thunderstorms in the Chicago area forced a full closure of our connecting airport. We spent most of the day – and the next – sitting around in airports, either waiting for our delayed first flight or trying to figure out what to do when our flights were canceled at O’Hare.

Our experience made me realize how quickly such a difficult and stressful situation can cause me to forget about relying on God. It’s so easy to simply feel annoyed and frustrated when my plans are messed up because of circumstances outside...

Continue Reading

A dear friend just came and visited us here in Toronto for a long weekend. Both my husband and I had such a lovely time showing her the city and just hanging out with her. It was only her second day here when I heard us both saying to her things like, “Don’t you want to stay longer?” or “Have you thought about moving here?” Near the end of her visit, our questions turned into pleas: “We’re going to miss you so much when you leave. Are you sure you don’t want to live here in Toronto with us?”

Despite our overtures, our friend continued her trip, but I think from our comments she knew...

Continue Reading