Double-Tap

If you have seen the movie "Zombieland, a favorite of my husband and son, then you know that"double-tap" is a reference to a technique the hero uses to make sure the previously undead zombie is really dead-dead. Shoot him a second time just to make sure. While dead zombies are grim and gory, my family uses this phrase as a funny reference anytime something requires a double-check.

• Did we leave the oven on when we left? - Double-tap

• Did someone lock the front door? - Double-tap

• Did we feed the dog? - Double-tap

It reassures us that things are under our control and all is well.

Sometimes God gives me a "double-tap". Thank goodness he does, because I can be too stubborn, or busy, or oblivious to notice his message the first time. These days, I pray, go to church (when we are not quarantined) and listen to faith-based podcasts because I have learned I can't possibly control everything. Some items on the to-do list simply need God's intervention and I get an incredible sense of calm when I surrender my burdens to him. I multitask my faith, just like so many other things in life, and sometimes my full attention isn't on Him. That's where the double-tap comes in handy, in case I missed his message the first time.

During this COVID-19 pandemic (which is still underway as I write this), I started spending more time working remotely. Not being able to be a "hands-on" leader with my team, I leaned into new styles of leadership and began putting my thoughts down in writing. My first thought leadership article, published on LinkedIn (and included on this blog), compared the pandemic to a storm and company culture to a ship on stormy seas. Nature provides us with so many learning experiences, it seemed like a good analogy.

The next week, I was listening to a webinar, hosted by the Unconventional Business Network, on the topic of resilience, led by Army Major General (Retired) Robert F. Dees. General Dees is the President of Resilience Consulting, LLC, founder of Resilience God Style and he is on a mission to build strength of character and perseverance in others. During the webinar Q&A, I asked the question, "how can a leader instill resilience into those who lack faith?" In his answer, he described the Rembrandt painting "Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee". As soon as he mentioned the storm and the boat, I knew, God was giving me a double-tap. Confirming his word to me that he was in control. I quickly looked up the painting, in which a boat is rocking, sailors are terrified; holding on for dear life, retching overboard and in the center is Jesus. He is surrounded by eight of the sailors who are drawn to and comforted by his leadership. Every doubt and insecurity about my ability to write, lead, learn and grow subsided and I was reminded to trust him. This confirmation, coupled with my dad's love of weather, led to the development of this blog and opening of my eyes and my heart to the promises God has in store for it.

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Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. - Hebrews 2:1