Familiarity breeds contempt

/ faithsweatandtears / Leave a comment

Sometimes, we work ourselves into a corner and unwittingly take on an identity that we can’t shake off — like a chick from an incubator trying to acclimate into a free-range coop. Familiarity breeds contempt. The all-natural, 100% organic chicks might look down their beaks at an outsider who came from a *gasp!* laboratory.

 

I read an article recently (and tried to find it to link here but could not relocate it – sorry!) that explained one of the key differences between European and American higher education career paths: developing scholars from a school’s own graduate pool vs. hiring externally.

 

In Europe, colleges and universities often hire from within; they encourage students to attend the same school for their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, then they move into faculty positions at the same institution. In the U.S., graduates are less likely to find faculty positions in their home universities. Obtaining a master’s degree and doctorate at the same U.S. institution can be seen as a negative, because a student hasn’t been exposed to teaching from other faculty with varied research interests.

 

Another frustration is that administrators often rise through the faculty ranks, rather than the staff. Herein lies the dilemma: a staff member who has worked at a university while simultaneously pursuing a doctorate may have a difficult time transitioning to the faculty side of the house. Why?

 

“Oh, you know Angela – she’s that grantwriter.”

“Ah, yes – she used to be chair of the Staff Council, right?”

“Yeah. I heard she worked full-time and studied for her doctorate part-time.”

“And, did you hear that she has FIVE children?!”

“Whoa. Doesn’t she know that having more than two is a death knell for an academic career?”

“Wow – it couldn’t have been a very rigorous program if she was able to juggle all of that at the same time!”

“Oh, it was just a DPA, not a Ph.D.”

“Ohhh, that explains it.”

 

It’s hard not to feel discouraged. Never mind the fact that the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education both consider the DPA to be on par, academically, with the Ph.D. I knew when I started the program that there are still some academics who believe that anything other than the Ph.D. is substandard. I simply can’t quit my day job and go to school full-time, at this stage in my life. The DPA is geared toward students like me.

 

Does this mean that I can never become a faculty member? No. Does it mean that I cannot become an administrator? (Well, technically, I’m an administrator now, but I’m referring to upper-level executive positions.) Again, no. What it does mean is that I need to document my academic credentials by actively seeking out research & publishing opportunities and begin to focus my long-range interests.

 

That is the difficult part for me — honing in on my interests. I am curious by nature and have numerous areas of interest. If only there existed an interdisciplinary part-teaching/part-administration position that incorporated public policy, administration, digital media and philanthropy. Now that would rock. Sometimes I wish that God would write on the wall for me or leave a note under my pillow like the tooth fairy and just tell me what to do.

Having an honest friend (Prayer Devotional for the week of March 6, 2011)

/ faithsweatandtears / Leave a comment

Have you ever had a truly honest friend? We’re not talking about one who will tell you that you have spinach in your teeth, toilet paper stuck to your shoe or that your jeans actually do make you look pudgy. We’re talking about the one who will pull you aside and tell you that your snippy attitude at lunch hurt some feelings. Or, point out toxic elements in a relationship that you are too emotionally blind to notice. This is the one who will not take, “Fine” as a rote response in answer to, “How are you?”

 

Do you have a friend like that? Are you a friend like that?

 

King David had a friend like that. In 2 Samuel 12, a prophet named Nathan told David a thinly-veiled story about a rich man who stole a sheep (more like a family pet) from a poor man and then cooked it for dinner. David was incensed and proclaimed that such a man should die. Then, Nathan revealed that the rich thief in the story was actually him. Nathan honestly and accurately held David accountable for his sin.

 

There is a difference between judging and discerning. Judging people means assuming that you know their motives, so you jump to conclusions about them. Discerning is similar to judging, but it is fine-tuned. It does not mean ignoring an issue; rather, you filter what you observe to determine whether or not it is sin. Judgment is a twin of hypocrisy, while discernment goes hand-in-hand with integrity and mercy.

 

It sure is easier to dish out judgment than to take it, isn’t it? Let’s be candid in our prayer time this week and invite the Lord to speak to our hearts:

Shame(less) prayer

/ faithsweatandtears / 2 Comments

A dear friend of mine is struggling right now with what seems like trial after trial in her life. She thinks that she’s receiving her just deserts for some less-than-optimal choices that she’s made, and she feels ashamed. Does that sound familiar? (It’s a rhetorical question; no need to raise your hand. Surely, we’ve all felt that way at some point in our lives.)

 

Trying to be a godly friend, I suggested that she pray about it. I reminded her of what she already knew: that God is big enough to handle our frustrations, even when they are directed at him. (It’s not like he’s oblivious to our feelings—he knows our hearts!) What I failed to do during our conversation was actually offer practical ways that she can begin praying. D’oh! So, I decided to jot down some ideas for her, and I thought I’d share them with you here, as well.

 

When we don’t know what to pray or how to begin, scripture is a great springboard. The Bible is full of praise and promises that we can read back to God verbatim, if need be. When we lack the words, the Word can help us get started. I did a search for verses with the key word “shame” to guide us, and the following prayer is simply a paraphrase of those findings. (Of course, you can put it into your own words if you want to.)

 

Lord, your word says that anyone who believes in you will not be put to shame (Romans 10:11). Even though I know you as my savior, I feel ashamed right now. I feel disgraced—even under attack—by those who would like to see me fail (Psalm 44:15-16). Guard my life and uphold my integrity (Psalm 25:20-21). I know that you are my helper and comforter; remind me of your goodness when I feel distraught (Psalm 86:17).


When I feel like I can’t cope, redirect my mind from earthly things and help me not to fall back on other gods—even seemingly comforting things like too much food or sleep—because you alone are my savior (Philippians 3:19-20). In you, Jesus, there is no condemnation; thank you that I am included in that promise (Romans 8:1-2). You have poured your love into my heart, and it gives me hope (Romans 5:5). Your word says that if I hope in you, I will not be put to shame; thank you for your promises (Psalm 25:3). You are my rock and shelter, my defender and deliverer; come quickly to my rescue and guide me (Psalm 31:1-3). In Jesus’ name, amen.


No matter what you are going through in your own life, I encourage you to use scripture as a starting point for your prayer time. I’d love to hear how God works in your life through it! (And, while you are praying, please lift up my friend. Thanks!)