Saturday, 14 March 2009
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What I learned from robotics
It has been a rough road, but the robotics team I was a co-advisor for finished 24th out of 60 and took home the "Highest Rookie Seed" award- quite impressive for a school that has never had a team before!
There was a lot I learned about myself from the process..
1. My Achiever strength is stronger than I ever imagined. Near the middle of the process, my other co-advisor got frustrated and refused to help the team anymore. The team came to me and I offered to spend the weekend at school so they could finish. I found them team sponsors, helped order the shirts and buttons and dealt with all the craziness with the front office secretaries. When given a project, I really cannot let it go until it is 1. done and 2. done as best as humanly possible. This means that I need to be particularly careful as to which projects I say "yes" to. I would do my "PR role" for robotics all over in a heartbeat, but it is something I need to keep in mind for future projects. Don't invite ME into a project unless you want it done and done well. (I know in the rereading that sounds arrogant...but there actually came a point where my co-advisor and I were at odds on whether or not to help the team finish well)
2. I learned more about unconditional love. What do you do when nothing you do for your friend is the right choice in their opinion? When nothing you can do can make them happy because they are fundamentally unhappy? When they won't look you in the eye and refuse to communicate? When you have to lie to them so that they will do the good and right and responsible thing?
3. I learned that the best form of youth ministry is real investment in non-churched kids. My favorite times in this process have been when the kids and I just hang out and talk about what is going on in their lives. I get a chance to show Christ to them by sharing my story. I get to show them what a loving, caring adult really looks like when none of their parents bother to help or show up. I love this age, when I get to stand in the gap for them. It is always an honor and privilege.
Good comes from the darkness. Eventually.
Currently
Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir
By Susan E. Isaacs
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