Is the L-E-A-D-E-R around?
A few days ago my children spent the day with a family friend, and something unusual happened. My friend was babysitting for a little girl, perhaps 2 years of age, who came walking in just as I was dropping off my kids. Within a few seconds, she was standing at my feet, looking up at me with her arms extended for me to pick her up.
Now, I am not the most approachable person in the world. I’ve been told in my life that I am unapproachable, in fact, even intimidating. I tend to keep my own counsel about things, and find myself an observer, not a participant, in most situations unless I am there to lead or facilitate. It is still cold here in Chicago, and I have not yet resolved to shave off my winter’s beard, and have let my hair grow longer also. All of this to say that though I am ever so fond of children, they usually don’t seek me out for companionship, so this little girl’s insistence was quite out of the ordinary.
I picked her up, and she immediately leaned her head on my shoulder. As I continued talking to my friend, she said of the little girl, “She does the same thing to my husband; her D-A-D-D-Y isn’t around any more, so…”
When I returned to pick up my children, the little girl had just awakened from a nap–she no sooner was taken out of the crib and set on the ground than she walked directly to me with the same appeal to be picked up. I obliged as I had in the morning, which elicited a simliar reaction from her.
It occurred to me with some sadness as I left that this little girl knew exactly what she was looking for: someone strong, someone safe, someone she could trust… She was, in some small way, looking to fill a void she knew she had, though in some ways could not possibly express.
And so it is with us, and with our constituents. Each of us looks for something from our leaders, sometimes a thing which is just beyond our ability to describe, but we are looking nonetheless. And whether we are leading in the home or elsewhere, it is our role, in part, to discover that for which our constituents are searching, and provide it for them. In this small example, I was able to provide, if ever so briefly, what my little friend was seeking. I knew exactly what she wanted, even if she didn’t, and far be it from me to withhold it from her when it was mine to give.
Who in your life and sphere of influence is wondering if the L-E-A-D-E-R is around? What have you done to ensure that they find you?
This story touched my heart. I so appreciate you sharing it in your gifted writing style. It seems you were the right person at the right time for her. I hope for her sake there is a constant source of strength, safety and trust in her life.
This story reminds me of a quote from Blessed Mother Theresa, “We are all pencils in the hand of God”. I wonder, how can I keep myself open to this concept? How can I be His instrument? How can I remember that for every action there is a reaction? How can I remember something else she said, “we shall never know all the good a simple smile can do”? Or in this case, a shoulder offered to rest upon?
Thank you for the story!
Well, I suppose, God intends something else for that little human being. Maybe she will be stronger, more selfconfident, safer just because she’ll learn that there is no sholder to rest on for an unlimited time, but hers. And, maybe, just maybe, it’s better for her this way.