WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
As we continue to work on the buildings in LeMars that we purchased about 18-24 months ago, it seems like we just have to be in synch in so many ways. Our builders and sub-contractors keep communicating and moving from one job to the next, Mike and I have to update each other regularly so that we are taking care of our part in it all – and know our part, and we also have to stay connected with our business owners and new business owners that continue to come and show an interest in doing something new in our community or they just want a different location. We have a part in each one of those things, so it’s not an easy job for us-but it’s really important to a lot of people.
It’s interesting that our theme for Side by Side Ministries this year is “in tandem”. Tim LaBreche has written for each month this year, but I felt like I should “take my turn”. It seems like it fits for that and also for what we are doing for Destination Le Mars. That’s the way tandem works – it’s about a group of two of more people working together, doing something alongside each other. It’s really a perfect explanation of what it takes to get something done that really matters.
Side by Side is a sweet picture of being in tandem. Marriage is another, as well as teamwork in rebuilding a community. I find myself in the midst of that all. In order to do that well I have to be alert to when it’s time to work and what to do. I have to be sensitive to the other person’s load and their release. Another thing is to have respect for those that I’m walking alongside of and knowing their talent and ability. Sometimes it’s about recognizing when a shift is coming and who should do what and when. It’s surely about love and honoring each other, no matter what. 1 Corinthians 13 says that love is the most excellent way.
We can’t be in tandem without agreement. If there is not agreement, then it’s time to communicate and regroup. I’m making this sound easy; it sometimes is not. But so necessary and rewarding. There is a Bible verse from Amos 3 that says, “do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
Getting to a point where there isn’t agreement and I know that our goals are different is hard, but it needs to be dealt with. In love and with respect-there is an answer. It’s the hard part of life and relationships, but I have learned that it can’t be ignored. When I have waited too long it has cost me more than it needed to. I’m so grateful that God is patient and gracious with me. He leads and all I have to do is follow. When I do that, I am in tandem with Him. It’s really the most important thing that I need to remember every day.
When it is hard to say something or do something I have to remember that taking a step of faith and trusting God for what is next is the only answer. The new path won’t be there if I continue on the old path, and I won’t even be able to see the new way. Delaying what is inevitable just delays what God has next for me. I have walked this out so many times. It’s what I needed to do for the store when I closed the drive through this year. My downtown store has just taken off since I closed the drive through. There are so many examples for me as I look back over the years.
I think I am learning this at a new pace now with all the new things that Mike and I are doing with our development projects in our community. I think it means growth and progress, but some days it can feel like I need to speed up and be at the right pace with those closest to me, or slow down and be ready for the hand off. I’m a firm believer in God’s timing and trusting that He is leading and I just need to pay attention. There’s peace and there’s grace when I am engaged and following.
