Character – Page 3 – Melissa Schlies

Why We Try

One of the most memorable characters I have ever met through reading, is Mrs. Havisham. From Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, which I (mostly)read for a class in college, Havisham isn’t actually a “Mrs.” at all. Yet, she is unforgettable. Left at the altar decades before we meet her in the book, Havisham is still wearing her wedding dress. Having commanded all of her servants to leave everything in her house the same as it was on her wedding day, her beyond rotten wedding cake still sits on the table. She is living in the decay of her dream. When her [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-09T21:29:58+00:00July 2nd, 2018|Categories: Character, Courage, discipline, Hope, perseverance, Purpose, Routines, Success|Comments Off

When Leaders Fall

A cause that is excruciatingly dear to my heart, is churches ordaining women pastors. As slow as equal rights for women have moved in the workplace, in the church they have moved even slower. Toxic rhetoric around the role of women, is recited often as clearly as scripture in many church leadership circles. And when I left church ministry for related reasons, I quickly started looking for churches that empower women. In the denomination I had served in, I found few. However one of those churches was a rather large one, lead by a world renown, influential leader. I started [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-05T12:34:18+00:00May 21st, 2018|Categories: Character, Failure, Leadership, Uncategorized|4 Comments

When Leaders Stand

“The mark of a true leader is when you get to a scary place, you stand. Instead of turning and running, you stand.” —Lisa Harper One of my favorite somewhat older movies, is About a Boy, with Hugh Grant. In it, Grant plays a self-absorbed bachelor, Will, who becomes a reluctant mentor to an awkward yet endearing teenage boy, named Marcus. If you’ve watched it, you know there is this unforgettable scene toward the end of the movie, where Will tries to save Marcus from the ultimate embarrassment—singing horribly in front of his entire school. Hoping to cheer up his [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-11T00:34:17+00:00May 14th, 2018|Categories: Character, Courage, Leadership, Uncategorized|2 Comments

Leaving Home

Out of all the relationships we have in our life, our family ones are typically the strongest. For good or bad, they are the people who have the power to impact our lives the most. After all, they are the first people to tell us where to be strong and when to be afraid. To tell us whether the world is a friendly or fearful place. More than anything though, They are the first people to tell us who we are. Only at some point, we have to learn all of these things for ourselves. We have to take what [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-17T00:53:19+00:00February 26th, 2018|Categories: Character, Courage, Fear, Freedom, Identity, Relationships|6 Comments

If The Shoe Fits

Before I officially begin today’s post, I have to confess I have never been super into fashion. Through most of high school, I wore big baggy shirts with jeans. In college, I wasn’t much better. And makeup, until my mid-twenties, was always touch and go. I have always believed that what is most important about a person is what is on the inside. But recently, a podcast I listened to got me thinking about the importance of what we wear, so here we go: The guest on the episode I was listening to that day, was a personal stylist. During [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-17T01:16:39+00:00January 29th, 2018|Categories: Character, Courage, Faith, Identity, Success|Comments Off

Easier Said, Than Done

“Just give it a try.” “Put yourself out there.” “You know what you should do…” We’ve all been there. When we’re the ones that need something to change. When we’re on the side of a conversation where we’re getting the advice, and those on the other side are saying things we don’t want to hear. Not because what they have to say is wrong, but because it’s hard. They keep talking until we finally say: “It’s easier said, than done.” And like that—unless our friends or family are relentless—the conversation is over. We start talking about the football game or [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-17T01:34:57+00:00January 8th, 2018|Categories: Character, Courage, Faith, Fear, perseverance, Purpose|Comments Off

Love Learn Lead May 18, 2017

As you may have noticed, all this month we are talking about different aspects of our identity and becoming who we are meant to be. For this reason, today’s Love, Learn, Lead has the potential to give you a lot to think about. Each one has the ability to become an opportunity for self-reflection. So, if you feel inclined, grab your journal and approach today’s post as a “Choose Your Own Adventure”—pick one that fits the emotional or intellectual page your are on, and dive in. Thoughtfully write out your answers to the questions. Take notes on the podcast shared [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-19T20:07:42+00:00May 18th, 2017|Categories: Character, Lead, Learn, Love, Love Learn Lead|Comments Off

What Will Mark You?

One day, when I was a youth pastor, one of my students came into my office just to show me her tattoo. She closed the door, and then lifted her shirt up just enough to show me a bright and beautiful cherry tree stretching across her left ribs and down her side. It was new. There was still a little red around the edges, but you could tell she felt very proud of it. Then, a few years later, I sat at a Panera with another student. I listened as she described the many colorful tattoos that flowed down her [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-19T20:36:02+00:00April 3rd, 2017|Categories: Character, Identity, Success|Comments Off

Hope Hangs Above our Kitchen Sink

Whenever you go on a long journey, there are things you need to take with you, to make it to your destination. At the bare minimum, this usually means food and water. The time my husband and I hiked Mount Katahdin in Maine, with some friends, we filled our packs with trail mix, cliff bars, multiple water bottles, and PB&J sandwiches. When we did a road trip through Northern Ireland, we made stops for gluten free crackers, smoked salmon, and hot tea. Any trip worth taking requires supplies. But not all journeys are outward and physical. Some of the longest [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2018-07-19T20:38:58+00:00March 27th, 2017|Categories: Character, Hope, perseverance|Comments Off

Why We Try

When Leaders Fall

When Leaders Stand

Leaving Home

If The Shoe Fits

Easier Said, Than Done

Love Learn Lead May 18, 2017

What Will Mark You?

Hope Hangs Above our Kitchen Sink

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