by Sarah Van Diest
 |
| We've all been both leader and follower. |
I’ve been a leader and a follower, or maybe the way I’m
currently thinking about it, I’ve been an active participant and a responder.
And as I think on the idea of being either of those two, I recognize that I
place a value judgment on them. I don’t mean to, but I do.
In my mind, I value the times more highly where I have been
the active participant. When I have been a teacher, a missionary, a leader of
women…whatever. And I feel shame for the times I have just been a
responder: a mother, a wife and friend. And I’m not saying that I have shame in
being a mother, wife and friend, but I’m saying that the part of those roles
where I am a responder has been tainted for me. I feel less than when I
think of those things, like I’m not doing enough and not being enough.
But I know that’s bad thinking.
