I have been trained as an engineer and in my career, I have been led to project management as a career path. I have been blessed to work for a great boss – Yes that is you Jimmy – and meet some fantastic folks that have helped me is so many ways become a better leader.

For those reading who may not be in the same industry as I, to be a project manager is to be ruled by scope of work, budgets and schedules! Those I have the privilege of working with need to provide deliverables within a specified time – a deadline or milestone – that has been agreed upon by both the client and ourselves.

Why do I bring this up? Because work life overflows into personal life and I find I see life as “tasks” that need to be completed (on time of course) and not as a people related opportunity to increase closeness of relationship.

Let me tell you why this is a concern for me.

For the last year, my wife and I have been building our retirement home on the weekends, a little spot in the woods, where we can eventually have a place to raise a few chickens, have a couple gardens, and to watch the birds as we have our morning coffee. I cannot tell you of the times I have set self imposed schedules in my mind and then drove those I love a bit too hard, or experienced an internal attitude battle, simply to get a self imposed goal completed.

Just recently, my son came to visit us from Canada and helped us erect our four exterior walls on our first floor. A lot of work for two old fogies and a middle aged fella! But in the midst of the work, I struggled with loosing a peace, loosing my focus on the fact I had two of the most important people in the world with me, and I was looking to meet schedules.

They understand this ol’ fart and my foibles, and the way we worked together after I got my head on straight was an experience I am very thankful for.

Now please understand. Production, schedules, planning and budgets are important. Projects can’t be completed successfully and properly without them. But they are to be tools used to progress projects, and we are not to let them be controlling monsters over our lives.

We are to be led of the Spirit, and sometimes His schedule is different than mine. In this case, the minor changes the Lord required not only straightened me out, but provided a much more enjoyable time with my loved ones.

And for that I am thankful.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

P.S. – We actually got more accomplished than I had scheduled! Yippee!

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