“Love…”

 

Shared by Kristina Smedley

“Love…”
Last night, I fell asleep on the living room floor in front of the fire.

It was so warm. 
My eyes were too heavy as I tried to read. 
And then I was out.

Maybe 45mins went by.

Then I woke up to freezing cold air rushing into the house.
Annoyed, as it interrupted my nap.

I found Sennad at the back door.
Bundled up in winter clothes, breaking down cardboard boxes and taking out the garbage.

After 2 weeks of missed garbage service. 
Apparently, they were supposed to come the next morning.
Sennad was on it.

Groggily, I headed upstairs.
As I slid into bed, I could still hear Sennad.

Taking out the garbage. Cleaning up the kitchen. Likely to prep our morning smoothies.

This is often the case. 
While I’m getting ready for bed, he’s finishing chores.

Meanwhile, my emotions go back and forth.
I feel guilty for not being downstairs helping.
I’m curious about his sometimes OCD manner of wanting everything perfect and organized.

It’s late.
Why doesn’t he just let it wait for tomorrow?

As I’m almost asleep, he’s finally ready for bed and slides in next to me.
Wraps his arms around me and says:
“I’m really proud of everything you’re working on. I know you’re making a difference.”

Never has it been more clear.
He’s not doing chores late at night to make me feel guilty for not helping.
He’s not OCD about things being perfect.
He’s not willing to let things sit. To wait.

He simply loves me and Lexi. He’s proud of me.
This makes him willing to go the extra step, do the extra chore, stay on top of some of these tedious tasks.
Which I’m sure he doesn’t really enjoy either.

All in order to give me more time and space.

“Thank you, my love, for supporting and enabling me. I couldn’t do it without you.”

Sennad is an amazing example of Passionately Serving.
And he expects nothing in return.

I believe this is a rare quality.
It requires love for the other person.
Which is easy to imagine in a marriage or other close relationship.

But Passionately Serving isn’t just a marriage quality. It’s a vital leadership characteristic.

We don’t often like to talk about love at work or in our schools.
But it’s there.

It might look like getting to know our teammates.
Understanding their interests and desires.
Building relationships.
And then serving their best interests.

Just like Sennad is empowering me, building me up, providing space and opportunity.

To be leaders in our families, schools, businesses, communities, we must do this for others.

We must care.
Listen and build relationships.
And Passionately Serve their best interests.

We must love.

 

#PassionatelyServing

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