August 20. Deliberately Delighted.

Entrepreneurs and leaders are in the people business. They lead the people that shape the teams that deliver value. Maybe the definition of a small employer should be that everyone feels that they are on just one team. It is easier in a big organization to feel like you have your own team in your division or department.

This can happen when you have multiple locations in different cities as well. Regardless of how many teams you have, you are still in the people business first. How do you express appreciation to your teams? Is it a delight to be a leader of this team? Do the people you lead know it?

I believe that a team that works together can accomplish more than a team of individuals only working for their effort. It can be delightful to work on a cohesive team. Many people can relate to an interaction with a company to which the team member failed to be appreciated.

We experience their negativity, their failure and their mistakes when this happens. But when a leader can transform mistakes into investments for the benefit of the team, we can approach delight. Think of the best investment you have ever made in a gift for someone else, for a spouse or family member.

The thought of that gift will likely bring some delight to your mindset right now. How do you show where you are delighted with the team? We all like to be appreciated so maybe it would be a positive influence to show your delight to others. Are you willing to be inspired to share the mindset of delight today?

What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

As a brother or sister of Christ, Jesus is delighted with us. He comes willingly to those who are broken or are in need and delighted to be in relationship with us. As the body of Christ, we are called to do the same. We cannot ignore the fact that we will often be challenged.

But often our challenges are our largest opportunities in disguise. We read, "For the Lord delig

hts in his people; he crowns the humble with victory." Psalms 149:4 NLT. Where are you delighted with your brothers and sisters that you are in relationship with? How have you told them that recently?

Maybe a handwritten note, a special text, a call or an email might just make someone else's day. If God takes delight in us, maybe we should be sharing delight with others as well. The concept does not require exorbitant resources, just an exuberant mindset. This is a Friday challenge.

Are you willing to inspire someone else’s day by sharing your delight with them? What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Father God, join us we pray as we celebrate our brothers and sisters. Help us to take delight in the word, in worship and in our relationships. May we share your love for us as we anticipate being delighted again and again. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,