Playing by the Rules - Tammy Kirby

I dread working out.  I do!  Most days I try to talk myself out of going to the gym.  Too tired…too much laundry…too much homework…too many places to be yet tonight, etc…  However, I always say to myself, “Get your tennis shoes on and place one foot in the gym.”  After all, I have never turned around once I have stepped one foot into the gym. Then my dread turns instantly into something I love.  I love to push myself.  I love to work hard.  I especially love the feeling of exhaustion mixed with accomplishment.   Last winter I went to a gym in Wenatchee with my 60+ year old father and was quickly humbled by how much faster he ran than me.  J  At my dad’s gym, I saw 4 rules. They are easy rules.  They read:

1. Be Kind- To members, staff and facility staff.

2. Be Responsible- The quality of this environment is dependent on each of us.

3. Work Hard-   You made it here, let’s make the most of it.

4. Have Fun- Otherwise…what’s the point?

Truth be told, I have kind of been dreading the mission trip.  I have been dreading the unknown and the uncomfortable aspects about the trip.  I don’t know what to expect.  While I know all the teens going on the trip, there are some I don’t know very well and for some reason “living” with them for the next week is making me nervous.  I could write an extensive list of all my worries, but I know you, as readers, will throw Philippians 4:6 at me.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  I know, I know…so I will not continue on about my worries.  The other day while I was mentally preparing for the trip, my mind went to worry then something happened and the rules from the gym popped into my head.  These rules resonate with me.  Thank you God for speaking  my language. J  He allowed me to give myself an attitude adjustment.  In keeping with the spirit of the gym rules, here it goes.

1. Be Kind- This is a week where I will meet many new people.  This is an opportunity to be kind to all those I encounter.  Even when I may tire of the youth or the youth tire of me, kindness and grace go a long way.  Next week will give me an opportunity to give and receive kindness from all sorts of people.  In my humanness, I’d like to think that at times, it was hard for Jesus to be kind, but HIS kindness was a blessing to many. 

2. Be Responsible- I have no idea what kind of environment I will serve in, but I do know that I have two able hands that can work hard.  I hope my hands do make a difference.  The quality of an environment isn’t dependent on me, but on all of us.  I am excited to see how our hands and our teamwork make a difference.  God gave us the beauty of the earth and the people on it, and it’s our hands and our hearts that can keep it that way. 

3. Work Hard- I have put a lot of mental energy into this mission trip.  I am excited to see how this energy is put to physical use.  If I am going to go on the trip, then I might as well make the most of it.  Like the gym, I hope at day’s end, I feel that satisfying feeling of exhaustion mixed with the exhilaration of working hard.  I have a feeling that God is going to push me further physically and emotionally than I have ever been before.  After all, I will already be there so I might as well accept it and work hard.

4. Have Fun-  It would be a shame to travel so far and have the whole trip be a drag.  I hope to have fun.  I think fun just happens, and knowing our youth, they’ll make sure FUN HAPPENS, and I am looking forward to being a part of it.  Even though service, at times, is difficult and can be gutwrenching, I have never left a service project without a laugh or a smile.  Fun is what brings us a sense of hope and joy.  I know this trip isn’t about “having fun” per se, but I do believe that a smile and a bit of laughter can brighten anyone’s day.  

Keeping these rules in mind, I plan to play serve by these rules.  Yes, I am still hesitant , but at 6:30am Saturday morning, I will lace up my tennis shoes and take that very first step that will lead me to a week of service in San Francisco.  God has equipped all of us to do this kind of work.  I hope in the week ahead, you too will lace up your shoes and join me in being kind, working hard and having fun in all that you do to serve others.