I Feel Crappy!

March 2021 Newsletter 

Sitting on our apartment couches across from our life coaches I (Leslie) uttered “I feel crappy” (and it wasn’t about being physically ill). In our bi-monthly meeting things began to spill out of my lips in the conversation. Maybe you have shared a similar sentiment in the last six months. Being is ministry as a “vocation” we aren’t without this experience. 

 My coach gently responded with care and follow up questions to unpack the raw emotion. Our coaches brought to mind the recent team time talk we listened to. I was struck by how I viewed myself and how my Heavenly Father sees me. 

During a recent team time we heard from a Cru leader equipping us to, “Reading your gauges.” We were challenged to read Luke 2:52, “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor of God and men.” Jesus grew in four areas: Mental (wisdom), Physical (stature), Relationship and Emotional (favor of God and men). Three thought-provoking questions we individually pondered: How do you see yourself? How do you see God? How do you think God sees you? Perhaps they cause you to pause for a few moments. 

You may recall Mike and I are here at Cru Headquarters for a purpose. This eleven-month program is developing us, giving us space to work through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Spiritual Growth and development are good and healing things. But, I’m not going to sugar coat it -- it’s HARD work.

   

Simultaneously we have the privilege to serve in ways that bolster our staff. Some of the beautiful opportunities we have this year are to bringing our experiences (Leadership Development) to come alongside others whether it be with missionaries who had to unexpectedly return from overseas assignments, a fellow mom with kiddos still at home, the single trying to discover their next place God is calling them to serve. It’s worthwhile and exciting to know our training and experiences are not wasted for the Kingdom work, including right here in our own apartment complex with fellow Cru staff. For example, Mike’s expertise of processes in LDHR and Staff Care allowed him to be tasked to develop some training material and processes that will improve caring for staff in matters of the heart and their grown. This enables staff to live more conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.