Consider and Cultivate
Dear reader...whoever you are...it is my first official day being back with my family for the summer. In honor of this, I thought I would post something. As contrived as this will be, it certainly is true and something to think about.
Consider the people around you and the blessings you have - not minimal - but in abundance. Do not always look for the next best thing or pass through life unappreciative of the faces who love you. Be grateful and cultivate those and what is around you while you are there. And if you cannot be grateful or invest in your surroundings, pray that God will give you the grace to do so or show you how. I am beginning to realize that I have more to offer than I previously thought. I used to think that it would only be after I got a college education and had years of experience, building confidence, that I would truly be able to impact others or make something of myself. But if I don't have vision or start honing the skills I have right now at this moment, what causes me to think that there will be some defining moment in the future when everything will supernaturally come together for me? I am not denying that God opens doors for us and works supernaturally in our lives, but to believe that accomplishment will come not through our own drive and willpower, but through "growing up" or some such thing...is a faulty assumption. I am grown up now; thus, I need to enhance my skills and build my confidence and leadership now (helped by engaging with the Holy Spirit). And so do you, if you haven't started already. We all need tools in our toolbox if we want to be prepared to face life's challenges and make something of ourselves or benefit others. In the words of brother Ruadh from the book Byzantium: "Unless the pilgrim carries with him the thing he seeks, he will not find it when he arrives." We are what we make ourselves to be. If we are always trying to figure out who we are and never mature in and focus on skills or cultivating certain groups, then we will always be outsiders. We will never have that sense of belonging and purpose. Do yourself a favor and strive to know who you are in Christ and add to the tools in your toolbox, even if it's just a nail at a time. Every moment of growth matters. (
I also would like to refer to my comment about not being unappreciative of those around you who love you. Whether it be a best friend, a sister, a boyfriend, or your dad...whoever it is, cherish the moments you have with them. Look them in the eye when you talk to them. Listen to their laugh and store it in your memory. Really talk with them, not just to them. Have true relationship with them and understand that it is a privilege you are able to be near them and enjoy them daily in your life. Make the most of even the mundane moments.
Well, that is all. I am going to attempt to win a game of spider solitaire and then go to bed.
Consider the people around you and the blessings you have - not minimal - but in abundance. Do not always look for the next best thing or pass through life unappreciative of the faces who love you. Be grateful and cultivate those and what is around you while you are there. And if you cannot be grateful or invest in your surroundings, pray that God will give you the grace to do so or show you how. I am beginning to realize that I have more to offer than I previously thought. I used to think that it would only be after I got a college education and had years of experience, building confidence, that I would truly be able to impact others or make something of myself. But if I don't have vision or start honing the skills I have right now at this moment, what causes me to think that there will be some defining moment in the future when everything will supernaturally come together for me? I am not denying that God opens doors for us and works supernaturally in our lives, but to believe that accomplishment will come not through our own drive and willpower, but through "growing up" or some such thing...is a faulty assumption. I am grown up now; thus, I need to enhance my skills and build my confidence and leadership now (helped by engaging with the Holy Spirit). And so do you, if you haven't started already. We all need tools in our toolbox if we want to be prepared to face life's challenges and make something of ourselves or benefit others. In the words of brother Ruadh from the book Byzantium: "Unless the pilgrim carries with him the thing he seeks, he will not find it when he arrives." We are what we make ourselves to be. If we are always trying to figure out who we are and never mature in and focus on skills or cultivating certain groups, then we will always be outsiders. We will never have that sense of belonging and purpose. Do yourself a favor and strive to know who you are in Christ and add to the tools in your toolbox, even if it's just a nail at a time. Every moment of growth matters. (
I also would like to refer to my comment about not being unappreciative of those around you who love you. Whether it be a best friend, a sister, a boyfriend, or your dad...whoever it is, cherish the moments you have with them. Look them in the eye when you talk to them. Listen to their laugh and store it in your memory. Really talk with them, not just to them. Have true relationship with them and understand that it is a privilege you are able to be near them and enjoy them daily in your life. Make the most of even the mundane moments.
Well, that is all. I am going to attempt to win a game of spider solitaire and then go to bed.
Very true. Especially that quote from brother Ruadh. Tolkien says something similar through his character, Hamfast Gamgee (Sam's Father), "Its the job as is never started as takes the longest to finish." I frequently fall into the, "when I'm grown up" lie. Thanks for the encouragement to us all.
ReplyDeleteYeah this is something God's been working on with me lately. I believe that God uses our stories to help others and lift them up out of the fire. He brings us through our trials so we can be used to help others in the same walks of life.
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