Jenni’s teamwork
If you were to ask me to name a few influential blogwomen of the blogosphere, Jenni Catron would have a secure spot on that list. She is passionate about what she DOes, and she’s passionate about others as well. From my first moments of reading her blog, I knew she was a storehouse of wisdom and experience. I came across a particular post during the summer, and thought the heart behind it would be a necessary element of our “September Series.” So, I invited her to be a part, and I’m so glad I accepted:
We Are Better Together!
Mandy and company have been doing an amazing job so far this month challenging and inspiring us to “Do Something”. We have heard some really cool stories and if you are like me you’ve had some “ah ha” moments in regard to what you can do. But I’m guessing that you’ve also been paralyzed by the “how”. Our heart starts to race. We feel motivated and then the fear sets in….”How?” “I can’t.” “I don’t have time.” “There’s no way that I could actually do what it is that I’m passionate about.” These are the thoughts that can flood us, stall us and keep us from action.
I think one of the scariest realizations for me is that I can’t do everything on my own. In fact I’m not supposed to. I grew up in a pretty dysfunctional home and at an early age I learned to take care of me. I learned that if I wanted something or wanted to do something I had to do it on my own. Unfortunately this was a really unhealthy paradigm to develop and one that God is slowly chipping away at in my life. To ask for help is extremely hard for me and yet I’m learning that this is a big part of what Godly community is about.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work”
This principal is so hard for me to trust. In fact on many occasions I have thrown it out there and almost challenged God to prove it to be true. But you know what? I’m finding it to be so true. There is so much freedom, strength and fulfillment in partnering with others. God designed us for community and when we experience it, it is so exciting! So, I would challenge you… what can you “do” if you invite someone else to be a part? What God-sized dream do you have that you are holding back from because you simply can’t do it alone? Who can you invite to be a part of it? How much more could be accomplished together?
I Agree completely! Jenni is a true DOer and role model!
Jenni – thanks! I was just thinking about this today – so many things in our society are based on the idea – if you want it, do it yourself. Whereas God presents a somewhat different idea – if you want it, rely on Me, and I’ll see that the best thing happens – which usually comes through other people! So nice, actually, that His expectations aren’t “do it yourself.” There’s so much more peace that way.
This is a great piece of the puzzle that many people overlook.
@Mandy and @JudiFree – I love you girls! You have both taught me the power of “we are better together” even across cyberspace!
@Annie – you are so right! Society perpetuates the “do it yourself” mentality and robs us of the power of this principle of community.
@ngie – I think we are so quick to quit because we don’t think through the lens of “we”.
I think the phrase “You read my mail” fits here for me. WOW. This is powerful and true to my own heart.
such a good thought. we’re never called to “go it alone”.
good stuff right here folks… good stuff.
I love the fact that “we can do it together”..
Realizing it:is the harder lesson to learn..
this is the missing link to almost everything we fail to do in life. well, it is for me at least. i hate asking for help and/or i dont think what i have to offer is worth anothers time. yah. who is THAT lie from?
jenni – this is powerful and an integral part of DOing anything!