Encouraging Good Works

And let us encourage one another to love and good works

(Hebrews 10:24)

A year ago this week, I accepted the challenge of becoming a community blogger for the Stuttgart Daily Leader and sharing my Purposed Work blog in other Gatehouse Media online editions in Arkansas. At first, I wondered if I could really come up with enough content to post on a weekly, consistent basis. Fifty posts later, I can humbly say that it is possible because of the love and encouragement received. Thank you to all of the dedicated readers and commenters.

It took a lot of courage for me to expose the mountains and valleys of building a business and a brand, while attempting to maintain my primary role as a wife and mother. One the flip side, because I know that I opened myself to more people following the journey, I have had to lean on the knowledge that others are watching to give myself motivation to persevere when unexpected life events happen (like dealing with a major relocation). My faith has been tested in this year. However, the results of those trials have been exceedingly more than I ever expected or imagined. Thank you all for your virtual encouragement.

This blog is titled Purposed Work as a testament of the journey of releasing what I thought I would do through self-effort to receiving instruction for the work I was purposed to do through divine insight. At this point, I can say Thank You for unanswered prayers, for closed doors, and for earthly no’s because I am steps closer to a supernatural yes. On days where I am lead to places I never imagined, I forge ahead on the path, standing on the promise that faith, without good works, is dead. That blind faith and encouragement from those following the journey has allowed my business to grow into areas I never considered. Thank you all for your prayers and considerations.

One of the unexpected outcomes from writing this blog is the opportunity to mentor others in their efforts to walk by faith. I have received so many calls and emails and made so many new friends along the way. We encourage each other by sharing our stories of grace, mercy, favor, love, and humility in doing purposed work that does not happen easily but is needed to improve our communities. Thank you all for your service.

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself. Sometimes you have to speak victory during your test. And no matter how you feel, speak the word and you will be healed.*** Encourage yourself and others through love and good works. Has your purposed work led you to encourage others to persevere in their good works? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

*** http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donaldlawrence/encourageyourself.html ***

Perfect Good Works

… He who began a good work in you will perfect it…

(Philippians 1:6)

 

My son has discovered a new word: meme. Everyday, he comes home from middle school, finishes his homework, gets a snacks, googles I-funny for the latest meme of the day, and shares with his dad or me what’s trending in pop culture (especially those that have a good video or animated GIF).  We comply, because we both realize that in a couple of years, he may not be as open with sharing the latest in his world.

Currently, he is into “Deal with It.” At one point, we were inundated with every “Keep Calm” directive imaginable to a seventh grader. One day, he noticed that I was frustrated about work progress, which is unfortunately a common theme because I want things to progress faster than reality, when he looked at me and said: Keep Calm. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. All I could do was smile.

Today, I have to remind myself of those words: I. AM. EXACTLY. WHERE. I. AM. SUPPOSED. TO. BE. I have been grounded more than I prefer this year due to the unexpected amount of ice and snow. As frustrating as that is, it has also afforded me some much needed time to reflect on the journey of where I am compared to where I thought it would be. God does not call the qualified, but he qualifies those whom He calls. I thought I would be focused in one area, but I have been chosen for some things never imagined. One of those areas is to be a witness and encourage others to endure and persevere as we live through the season between now and not yet. So

• to the grandmother who wants to work, but is needed to help with her daughter’s children,
• to the daughter who wants to practice her trade, but is needed to assist with aging parents,
• to the wife who wants to start a community program, but is needed to support her family,
• to the son who wants to open a restaurant, but is needed to work in the family business,

I am here to remind you that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. The vision for your good works shall come to pass. You have been chosen, but you have to have the faith to go through the process and trust that everything, including the setbacks and roadblocks, will sooner or later turn in your favor.

As I minister to you, I minister to yourself. Have patience that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. My job is to share with others that the road to purposed work does not always lead to where I planned to go, and to witness that He will perfect that concern in me...He who began the good works in me. Has your purposed work led you to the unexpected? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Expecting Good Works

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,

 according to the power that works in us

(Ephesians 3:20)

It is hard to believe that the first month of 2014 is already considered the past. This is the coldest winter that I can recall. Despite the gray and overcast days, my outlook and disposition for what is coming can only be described as filled with expectancy. In fact, I am having an EX-theme word season. To explain, I refer back to an older blog post from 2013 where my theme was GREATER:

http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/2013/05/greater-works.html

Four weeks into this year and my world has been filled with subtle and overt examples of EX-themed prophecies of what is coming: EXCELLENCY! EXCEPTIONALISM! EXCEEDINGLY!

EXCELLENCY: By favor, I recently took my car into the dealership for routine maintenance. While sitting there, I had an epiphany about customer expectations for premium quality and service. For our business interactions, we used this word for robust, honest debate on whether or not our clients and partners see Latrobe as a premier industrial service provider. The internal response was underwhelming, forcing us to examine our work processes and our company’s Code of Conduct to explicitly include the following: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your actions show integrity, dignity…

EXCEPTIONALISM: By grace, we have been operating for four years. Most days are not easy and we have made many mistakes along the way. But the shouting moment is that we are still here, despite some of the challenges that we have faced. I went to a bible study were the pastor reminded us that the will to endure and never quit is the basis for exceptionalism: But He chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; He chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; He chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring from nothing things that are (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). My explanation of what we have been able to accomplish in these few years: except (the root word), because He chose us... 

EXCEEDINGLY: By faith, because He chose us, the expectation is that our self-efforts are not required to do the good works that He is perfecting in His time. The harvest will be abundantly more than anything we could have imagined, because He is able to do exceedingly (Ephesians 3:20).

Expectancy is one of EX-theme words that I am using in 2014 to describe my purposed work. Despite the cold temperatures that have momentary slowed the pace, we are preparing for a harvest that includes excellency, exceptionalism, and exceedingly more than we could have imagined for our customers and our communities.  Do you have any EX-themed or guiding principles to align with your good works in 2014? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Obedience in Good Works

Obedience is better than sacrifice…

(1 Samuel 15:22)

If you really know me, you know that I profess the Holy Spirit’s grace and mercy by speaking favor over my life. By the instruction of David Frazier, I wave my hand over my head whenever I say the word FAVOR and declare that I believe all that His Word says about me. So when things happen in my life that I do not understand, I know that in the spirit, the experience is for my good. And that faith is what keeps me sane as my family enters a new season and begins a new journey.

When I first learned that we were re-locating again for my husband’s career, my first response was what? My second response…now?  All I could think about were the efforts exhausted during the past three years to become a part of the community. As I tried to reconcile the enormity of a move, everything around me kept reminding me that obedience is better than sacrifice. And that faith, knowing that humble submission to the Father’s will, is greater than any personal sacrifice that I have to make as my family enters this new season and begins our new journey.

When I finally settled down to examine how this change aligned with His Word spoken over my life, He revealed that none of this is a surprise, exposing the rams that He had already positioned for this moment: the teams and infrastructure in place that keep us connected to clients, regardless of physical location; the location of our new home that puts me less than thirty minutes away from a major international airport; and my favorite, the loyalty points that have already been accumulated that can be used to visit the office during the transition months. And that faith, seeing small examples of favor in my life, is what allows me to walk with bolder confidence that this is working for our good as my family enters this new season and begins our new journey.

When I opened my eyes and my heart to see the possibilities in our new community, I realized that I am in a fertile land to expand the purposed work as advocates of educating young people about the 21st century realities of manufacturing and other STEM related careers. I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be for a time such as this. And that faith, knowing that grace and mercy came before me, is the best blessing of all as my family enters this new season and begins our new journey.

Waving my hand over my head, I speak FAVOR over my life and over my family’s life in our new home. This move is not what I planned, yet, I know that it is for the good of my purposed work. Not my will, but Thy Will be done, thus I submit: obedience is better than sacrifice. If you would like to share your experiences about re-locating while building a business, or being obedient to unplanned events in your good works, let us know by commenting or sending an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of the previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

http://www.onlylyrics.com/david-frazier-lyrics-1030949.php

Serving Others in Good Works

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,

in good works of God's varied grace

(1 Peter 4:10)

Today, women all over the world are commemorating the 106^th Founders’ Day of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. When I became an undergraduate member, almost twenty-five years ago, I became a part of that legacy of sisterhood and service. The tradition continues - Global Leadership Through Timeless Service – with program activities centered on significant issues affecting communities and families.

Although my undergraduate participation at the University of Arkansas occurred a lifetime ago, service to all mankind remains a major facet of giving back to the communities in which I live and work. Last week, we had our first 2014 session for Leadership Beaumont, whose mission is “to identify, cultivate and develop leaders who will serve and positively impact their community.” Current members and alumni participated in a group activity to bring awareness to poverty in our community. Entergy hosted the Poverty Simulation that included role playing on day-to-day realities in the life of low-to-moderate income families.  (To learn more about using this simulation, contact your local Entergy Community Relations Representative, or visit the following Missouri Association for Community Action site:

 

http://www.communityaction.org/Poverty%20Simulation.aspx

 

Years ago, I adopted the use of on-line banking, automatic bill pay, and other things that I consider as personal time-savers. My big take away from the simulation was the plight of people who operate with cash. In balancing the allotted time, it was difficult for me to remember to go to the bank to cash my paycheck (I played the role of twenty-five year old working full-time in a cafeteria) to have cash available to take public transportation, to pay for utilities, to buy groceries, etc. This was a challenge for a twenty-five year old. Imagine the number of elderly people in our communities, or even other individuals who are trying to be self-sufficient, but who do not have access to other technology conveniences that many of us take for granted. My other takeaway was the reality of generational poverty and the difficulty in breaking this cycle. For all of us who have been graced to rise above and to overcome obstacles to do better than our family legacy, we have to remember that we are the exception.

After the simulation, each of us was challenged to take the learning from the day back to our respective businesses and organizations and to develop action plans for how we would increase awareness about the realities faced by people who live in low-to-moderate income communities. My first step is the blog post. Going forward, we shall add an element on this subject in our community outreach in advancing awareness about job and career opportunities in manufacturing.

Each of us has a gift that should be used to serve the needs of others in our communities and families. What are you doing to show concern for others by acts of service to all mankind? Let us know by commenting or sending me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Walking in Good Works

Whether you turn left or right,

you will hear a voice saying

this is the way, walk in it

(Isaiah 30:21)

Kenny Rogers is famous for singing: You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run. Have you ever been in a situation (work, church, or community service) where the mission of the organization no longer aligned with your personal beliefs? What do you do? Do you stay, because it’s comfortable? Or do you walk away, because the experience no longer has purpose in your destiny?

I have come to a place in my spiritual journey where I have to question the value of some relationships. As a self-proclaimed math geek, I like order of operations and try to apply the same principle to life: The people on your path to destiny should add and multiply to your efforts of good works, not subtract and divide. Some people have power, that in the natural, may appear to have the ability to help you to reach your destination quicker, but I am reminded that we should not put our trust in man. By faith, I am listening for the still small voice for guidance on the walking the right way.

In the natural, I think about all of the time and energy I have invested. Or I wonder what others will say about me. Or in the case of a business deal, I am fiscally aware of how much walking away will cost me. By divine intervention, I am reminded of the story of the king who hired troops from a foreign land to fight his battle, but was commanded not to use the army whose services he had already paid a price. The king’s obedience to the spirit was rewarded by victory. Simply put, obedience is better than sacrifice.

This is the way, walk in it. Grace and favor will guide you through various right and left turns that eventually lead to your destiny. When you have doubts about a relationship or a situation, let your conscience be your guide. Stick to what you feel from the spirit. This is not the time to start navigating by someone else's maps or expectations -- you could get lost.

Walking by faith means learning to trust in God, in spite of how it looks to others. Everyone has his or her own spiritual journey, so no one else can truly understand what you are experiencing. Sometimes people and situations shift and you will know when to hold ‘em or when to walk away. Instead of making an emotional decision, try listening for that spiritual voice saying this is the way, walk in it. How do you decide who is adding and multiplying your efforts toward your purposed work? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

The Light of Good Works

Let your light shine before children

So that they can see your good works and glorify Your Father

(Matthew 5:16)

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Oh, this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. This song touched my heart as a kid, but suddenly has new meaning to me as an adult. In ancient torch races, the goal was to complete the race with the light still burning. I am constantly reminded that life is not a sprint, but life is a marathon. The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures. I do not have to finish my race first or fast, based on my self-inflicted timeline. Instead, I want to do the works I was commissioned to do, to be a light that shines through eternity.

It seems that everywhere I turn there is a 5k event. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the life of me, I do not remember such communal involvement when I worked a corporate job. I gave annual financial donations, but I do not remember the most important thing, giving my time, or more importantly, involving our son in real acts of good works for a worthy cause. But since I have become independent, I am more aware of how the community supports this momentous effort. Even our middle school football team wears pink socks during the entire month as a sign solidarity and support. That’s probably what caught my eye: the number of children participating in voluntary games or voluntary races in showing care for such worthy causes.

I advocate leading by example, yet I have never attempted to run a 5k, nor have a challenged my family to participate. I asked my son if he would be interested in taking part in a 5k race, and he quickly retorted that he is a sprinter, not a distance runner. Then I had to remind him of the purpose of the races, to train to endure and complete, in support of the named cause. I told him the story of the ancient torch race and we agreed to run 5k before the end of the year as a family. I am excited. Before 2013 ends, our family will participate in a race, not for time, but to complete the event with our familial light still burning.

I want my light to shine before My Father and before children. I feel the best examples of grace that we can demonstrate begin at home with our own children. We try to involve our son in voluntary efforts as a sign of doing good works. Before the year ends, we have challenged ourselves to participate in a 5k. What are you doing to let your light and your good works shine before your children? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

The Gift of Good Works

A person's gift opens doors for him,

bringing him access to important people.

(Proverbs 18:16)

Do you know the origins of the modern day handshake? I cannot say for certain, but all indications are that the gesture dates back to ancient times. One explanation is that in historic times, an outstretched handshake signaled that neither participant was carrying a weapon. In other words, I come in peace, to do you no harm. I started thinking about handshakes yesterday as I participated in a business development meeting and wondered how I gained access to the audience and the people in the room.

In my head, I hear the words: You were born with grace. That grace is your gift, a divine enablement that gives you confidence to do the work you are purposed to do. So, I sit in these meetings with companies that are much larger than Latrobe, who have more resources, yet I have no trouble communicating what we bring to the table. One of the exercises in the business development accelerator is to be able to visualize, write, and articulate the future state of your business three years from now. In other words, I have access to this audience, not because of who I am today, but because of what we are being prepared for…GREATER WORKS!!!

 

I used to be afraid to share my vision with others, thinking that someone might steal my idea and implement it before I could. As I learn more about grace, I realize that because my talents are enabled from On High, I do not have to worry because what God has for me is for me. My gift works only for me. Sharing the vision demonstrates confidence that I trust and believe what God He is doing through me. And when people see my confidence, they want to help. My divine gift, what I was purposed to accomplish, opens doors for me and allows me to meet the people who are pre-destined to enable these good works.

I have been graced to have audiences with influential people to discuss our vision for educating and training through workforce readiness initiatives. These are the decision makers who have expressed a need to fill manufacturing or industrial jobs, either today or in the near future, and have the ability to hire. We agree on the next set of shared deliverables and expectations and we shake hands, signaling that we are not carrying weapons (or competing). In this instance, concerns of harm are replaced with a shared desire to help both companies succeed and to improve employment conditions in our community.

Each of us has a gift or a talent that was divinely designed for His purpose. I challenge you to work your gift, operate in your grace, and watch it manifest into good works. What is your gift? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Stress-Free Good Works

In all things, show yourself to be an example of good works.

In your teaching, show integrity, dignity, and sincerity.

(Titus 2:7)

Every weekend in July has been committed to reunions of sorts. We have invitations to gather with family, classmates, community, and friends to celebrate. There was a time in our lives when we would limit such interactions, claiming that we were too busy or coming up with some excuse. However, now we are at a point in our lives where we recognize the importance of celebrating and making sure our son knows his village.

One of the things that I hear most from family and friends is how relaxed I appear. I will be the first to admit that since I left corporate America, I have a sense of peace and purpose that I did not experience in my former work. The pressure to live up to a standard model of success that was never meant for me took a toll on me physically. I laughed when I did a search for studies and articles to support this post and found titles such as “how women experience stress: what the research tells us about feeling anxious or sad,” “chronic stress linked to health problems for middle-aged women,” “stressful jobs could leave women unlucky in love,” and my favorite: “stress decreases attractiveness in women’s faces!" Really? So I am happy to tell my story of being graced to focus on my purposed work, which has allowed me to release stress and to start living my life like it’s golden! Ain’t it funny that the way you feel shows on your face…no reunion is complete without timeless EWF music. I dare you to listen to this song and hold on to stress or sadness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiMH6MegYEY)

There are a lot of triggers of stress in the workplace. I started to exhibit signs of stress when I knew it was time to step into the work that I was purposed to do, although I was not committed to do the work. I was doing a job that had a lot of man-made and self-inflicted deadlines, except it had nothing to do with my destiny. When I accepted that all things work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose, I realized that all of my experiences had prepared me to walk by faith and focus on my good works. Since then, I have a different kind of worry, save I have peace that the work is from the heart, sincere. More importantly, I found balance to relax and celebrate the good times.

Stress is a natural part of life. Sometimes, its purpose is to trigger a need for a change. Can you identify the stressors that you need to release in order to focus on your purposed work and your personal race? Remember, stress bears no remedy for the problems in your life, so while you’re running your race, keep a smiling face! If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Grace To Do Good Works

I have not posted a blog entry in over a year. In my wildest dreams I never imagined the effort involved in building a brand and a business image in a new community. Regardless of how good your intentions are or how much you think you can help, the old adage holds true: People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. So I spent most of 2012 becoming a part of the community.

God’s grace will make a way for you. It’s not something you do that you can be proud of. This experience taught me that we are God’s handiwork recreated to do those good works which He predestined (planned beforehand) for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live (Ephesians 2:8-10). I was appointed to a couple of local boards that aligned with my mission of economic diversity through manufacturing. One in particular is Junior Achievement, which empowers young people to own their own economic success. To learn, visit the national website, found at http://www.ja.org/.

When I was young, I defined work as being paid to do a task. As far back as I can remember, I have worked by shelling peas, doing odd jobs for older people in the neighborhood, babysitting, etc. At sixteen, I got my first tax paying job, and because I like having my own money, I have worked ever since.

Today, my definition of work is different. I have been blessed enough so that money is no longer my sole motivation for work. A few months ago, I had to perform a self-examination to determine if I was more interested in building Latrobe as a wealth creator for my family or a job creator for my community.

The answer resided in the mission and vision statements written almost four years ago:  Our mission is to create jobs in industrial manufacturing in the local communities in which we operate. Our mission is fulfilled when we are recognized as a contributor to the positive economic growth by creating jobs that sustain the middle class.

Our vision is based on the principal: to whom much is given, much is required. As a manufacturing firm, we are strong advocates of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. We are committed to supporting these programs in our local communities to demonstrate to the youth a variety of career options in manufacturing and engineering. Our vision is fulfilled when we are recognized as community servants who positively influence and financially support the enrollment of local students into college and vocational level engineering and technology programs.

So back to my Junior Achievement story: One of JA’s signature programs is Finance Park, where students participate in a virtual simulation of financial planning and career explanation. Students are assigned a job and a family scenario and have to make budget decisions about housing, food, clothing, insurance, philanthropy, etc. To learn more, visit http://www.ja.org/programs/programs_mid_park.shtml.

Locally, as many of the students come from low-to-moderate income communities, it’s their initial exposure to professional job titles and careers. I live in a community where most of the resources are committed to petrochemical processing, so the thought of careers in manufacturing is foreign. It’s great to think that all of your local talent will ascend to achieve the technical skills required to work in a refinery, but that’s not reality. Someone has to be the voice for that segment of the population who wants to do good work and provide opportunities for good jobs. By grace, I have been positioned as a ram in the bush to be that voice, hi-lighting opportunities in manufacturing.

I’m glad to see the national attention on the importance of manufacturing to the economy. It’s encouraging to hear that over 500,000 jobs have been created in the sector in the last three years, and that with the right investments and innovative products, more jobs can be on the horizon. So if manufacturing is foreign to today’s youth (and it’s highly possible that they know no one who works in this industry), how do we as business owners raise awareness about the attractiveness of manufacturing and technology as career options?

One of the things I’ve challenged my team to do is to provide community outreach about the importance of job training and education in manufacturing. We’ve developed a curriculum to introduce prospective students with little workforce experience and understanding about the expectations, skills, and culture required to work in a manufacturing work environment. We engage students in discussions about the importance of economic success and the difference between a job vs. a career over their lifetime. Finally, we try to raise their awareness of common things manufactured. My best example right now is the I-phone. Someone had to innovate/manufacture that technology. Why can’t the next generation be made locally from ingenuity originated from this community? How many jobs would that create?

I begin each day with a prayer to bless my hands to do good works. I am thankful to see my personal growth transcend from expecting a monetary reward for good works to becoming that ram in the bush for those seeking good work. Today, we’re positioned to train and educate about the importance of manufacturing for the economy. I’m waiting with great expectancy on that new innovation to manufacture locally, but no worries, I know the Master Job Creator.