Be the winner...

At the time of this writing, the local football team has just won a playoff victory. There is a lot of rejoicing going on.   I'm not a football fan but I applaud the team efforts that led to the big win today.  Earlier today I noticed numerous people headed to the out of town game, and it's below average cold temperatures here today.  They braved the cold to encourage and support the athletes.  Everyone there today wanted to be the winner.  Someone had to lose.


I'm not much of a competitor.  Perhaps I'm fooling even myself when I claim to be noncompetitive.  I'm as human as everyone else so I like to come out on top too.  I suppose nobody likes to be beaten, but I have to say that I'm pretty quick to give up or give in when the competition gets intense.  I just don't like the feeling of competing.....fear of losing most likely.

There is one thing in which I continue to strive for. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philipians 3:14 NIV)

In this, there is no longer fear of losing.  The outcome doesn't rest on my ability or talent, not even on my determination.  I do not compete against you or any other person for the victory that is mine.

  "...thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor. 15:57-58 NIV my emphasis)

The victory I have, has been given not won.  It did not require team effort.  I have accepted it not earned it. I can't lose it.

Because of this huge victory, I purpose to "Rejoice in the Lord always...and to let my gentleness be evident to all, to not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to God.... knowing that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and  mind in Christ Jesus. I purpose that whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--I will think about such things  I know that  I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." (personalized selections from Philippians 4:4-13 NIV)

Tight knit...

I popped in the salon today in my incapacitated state.  I joke that I have to keep them straight, make them act right, see that they get everything done.  Truth is, I love being there and I miss the camaraderie.  During my visit today I got a glimpse of something I hope I can capture in words.

I began to realize and ponder on it after getting back home and picking up my Sunday school book to read a couple pages of next week’s lesson.  The lesson is entitled Serve Humbly, the scripture passage John 13. In this passage, Jesus fleshed out an act of service to his disciples that was beneath anyone but a slave.  He washed their feet.  Further more, He said they needed to do the same thing for others.


"Do you understand what I have done to you?   You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am.  So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet.   I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do.   I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer.  If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it--and live a blessed life.” (John 13:12-17 The Message)


Our reason for existing as a business at A Total Change is service.  We offer services and we are paid for those services.  But just because we are paid for them does not remove the principal of serving humbly.  Our goal is to do the very best we can for every single person.

What touched my heart today was not the humble service to paying clients, it was the humble service to one another.  Whether it’s trash to take out, a bathroom to clean, color bottles to wash, towels to fold, customers to help, or a baby to change, those girls are a tight knit group.  No one person is more important than another.  Nobody is too good to do anything that needs to be done. It’s not measured and paid for in dollars and cents.  It is a matter of humble selflessness.

All of those things are MY responsibilities.  The buck stops with me. Except for the fact that I am surrounded by a tight knit group of coworkers who also flesh out the same principle of Jesus’ foot washing.  Except for the fact that they don’t just do what they are paid to do.   They go far beyond that.

Oh we are quite human.  Just as Jesus’ disciples had disagreements and a little competitiveness,  this tight knit group does.  We all have a bad day occasionally, get a little grumpy, exasperated or impatient.  But never enough to tear us apart.

 We have no Judas among us.

I am blessed beyond measure.