Like many of you, I was stunned to hear of the tragic and terrible attacks at the Boston Marathon on Monday. As I think of the innocent people whose lives were taken from them; the people who were injured; and everyone whose life will never be the same again, my heart grieves. We have seen too many tragedies like the one in Boston, and, unfortunately I know that we’ll see them again.
Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Once again we are given more proof that there is evil in the world. I am reminded that even if I wanted to ignore the fact that there is brokenness, pain, suffering, tragedy and death in the world, events like the Boston attack remind us that pretending it isn’t there doesn’t make it go away.
When tragedy strikes far from home, don’t you often wish there was something you could do to serve others? I remember after the September 11 attacks I felt like enlisting in the Armed Forces, jumping on a plane to help the search for people at Ground Zero, giving blood as often as I could, or even just saying “thank you” to anyone I saw in uniform.
When tragedy strikes far from home, don’t you often wish there was something you could do to serve others? I remember after the September 11 attacks I felt like enlisting in the Armed Forces, jumping on a plane to help the search for people at Ground Zero, giving blood as often as I could, or even just saying “thank you” to anyone I saw in uniform.
Be a First Responder
We may not be able to jump on a plane and help the people of Boston, yet there is something we can do... we can be the EMTs, paramedics and first responders to those in our lives.
Every day you and I run into people who are unhappy; who are in pain; who have suffered losses we could never imagine. These are the people who come into our offices. These are the ones who look to buy what we’re selling. They may also be the ones sitting behind the desks in our offices, smiling in the halls as we walk past, laughing at our jokes and enjoying cups of coffee with us during the afternoon break.
How powerful would it be if we all decided, in big ways and small ways, to become a force for good in our world? I’m not talking about selling all you have and joining the Peace Corps! I am talking though, about looking for the ways that we can administer “first aid” when needed to the people in our lives.
Maybe you buy lunch for someone who is struggling financially. Perhaps its offering to let your employee go home an hour earlier, whose wife is really sick. It may be taking someone to coffee and asking her, “Is everything okay? Would you like to talk about it?” Maybe its extending a lot more grace than you think you should to someone.
It may be spending a little more time with the employee who is having a hard time adjusting to being a leader. It could mean saying, “I believe in you!” to someone that is struggling to close deals. It could even be as simple as smiling when you walk into the office; or offering to get a cup of coffee for a co-worker, or asking for forgiveness when you’ve really messed up.
Answering the Call
People matter. They always have. They always will. We have the great privilege and opportunity of serving, motivating, leading, valuing, understanding, validating and blessing the people around us-if we’ll answer the call to become a force for good.
How have you answered the call?
We may not be able to jump on a plane and help the people of Boston, yet there is something we can do... we can be the EMTs, paramedics and first responders to those in our lives.
Every day you and I run into people who are unhappy; who are in pain; who have suffered losses we could never imagine. These are the people who come into our offices. These are the ones who look to buy what we’re selling. They may also be the ones sitting behind the desks in our offices, smiling in the halls as we walk past, laughing at our jokes and enjoying cups of coffee with us during the afternoon break.
How powerful would it be if we all decided, in big ways and small ways, to become a force for good in our world? I’m not talking about selling all you have and joining the Peace Corps! I am talking though, about looking for the ways that we can administer “first aid” when needed to the people in our lives.
Maybe you buy lunch for someone who is struggling financially. Perhaps its offering to let your employee go home an hour earlier, whose wife is really sick. It may be taking someone to coffee and asking her, “Is everything okay? Would you like to talk about it?” Maybe its extending a lot more grace than you think you should to someone.
It may be spending a little more time with the employee who is having a hard time adjusting to being a leader. It could mean saying, “I believe in you!” to someone that is struggling to close deals. It could even be as simple as smiling when you walk into the office; or offering to get a cup of coffee for a co-worker, or asking for forgiveness when you’ve really messed up.
Answering the Call
People matter. They always have. They always will. We have the great privilege and opportunity of serving, motivating, leading, valuing, understanding, validating and blessing the people around us-if we’ll answer the call to become a force for good.
How have you answered the call?
Keywords: Boston attack, Boston marathon attack, communication, relationship, serving, servant leadership, serving heart, rommel anacan, relationship difference, people serving people, force for good, answering the call,
