The Me in Team

Our little Norah is just exploding with words these days…and with a growing sense of autonomy. It seems like with every work trip, I come back to new words and phrases from my independent 2-year old. Her latest comments seems to accompany her control of the environment – “Me do it!” we hear with everything from getting changed to making pancakes. Despite the cuteness, as the husband of a former teacher/English major, I am expected to coach her on the proper pronoun. One day after a million “Me do’s” and me responding “I do,” Norah’s 5-year old brother finally asked, “Dad what’s the difference between ‘me’ and ‘I’ anyway?”

While Peter’s question was really “who cares?” I thought about the difference especially as it relates to faith and leadership. When I use “I,” I’m the agent. I’m the actor. I am in control. When it’s “me,” I’m the recipient. I’m the beneficiary. While on the surface both are self-focused, “me” conveys dependency. In my relationships, what’s my balance of “me” versus “I?” Does my leadership communicate my need for others or is it more of a one man show? In my relationship with the Lord, who’s the primary actor? “Have mercy on me. Grant us peace. Save us Savior of the World.” No doubt, we have a role to play – “I confess, We pray, I believe.” It’s true, there’s no “I” in team but there is most certainly a “me.”