"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24
My YouVersion devotion talked about how when it comes to people we tend to admire strength and power, human wisdom, wealth and riches, and kindness. Well, it went on to say, "But God puts a higher priority on knowing him personally and living a life that reflects his justice and righteousness." The last thing it says is a posed question: What do you want people to admire most about you? The question really made me think. First, what does admire by definition mean?
- to regard with pleasure or approval
- to respect
Well then what about regard?
- to look upon in a particular way
- to respect
- to look at
- to concern
That doesn't look so hard to fully grasp... what do I want people to respect me for... besides just for being a person? and really the question demands some level of either confidence or goal setting, possibly both because having room to improve is usually a set-up for a goal to be set with a desire for that goal to be reached.
So reigning in thoughts, keeping them on the smaller scale grid of 'what do I want to be admired for' now and not to the outside far edges of the grid of 'leaving a legacy,' and what do I want to be admired, respected, or remembered for is quite a task as I have and am continually learning that though THEN matters, NOW is very important for the simple thought that my THEN depends on my NOW-- THEN is effected by what I do NOW. [Run-on sentence or just really long? Who knows...]
Nevertheless, I shall answer the question. FINALLY. I want to be admired for the everyday small things, like finding joy in storms... smiling even when life is hard. I want to be admired for having an unshakable faith and a trust in God that withstands trials and hardships. I want to be admired for genuinely loving and caring for not only those who have captured my heart or he my heart loves deepest aside from my heavenly Father but for people in general, for taking the time to care for people. I want to be respected for being a gracious, confident woman who desires not to make anyone ever feel inferior but to encourage others to their own discovery of self-confidence. I want to be respected for never giving up, for falling and standing back up, for standing for what I believe in. But most of all I want people to admire me for having a heart that longs to please the heart of my Father by living life day to day pointing others to the ultimate reason for smiling, loving, laughing, for longing to make His heart smile. But even more I want to be moved by what moves Him, to be in sync.
Now, by no means has all of this has been attained but it is attainable. An opportunity has been made available to set goals, to change mindsets, to decide to change and alter THEN by changing NOW. Life happens a day at a time which consists of life changing moments second to second, minute to minute, and hour to hour. To be admired, one must be admirable. To be admirable, one must be willing at times to change and make a change. :)
It's crazy how with every moment, every split second life changes. Our very decisions, plans, thoughts can all be altered in the blink of an eye. One moment we're taking a picture, smiles on every face in the room, 2 on computers, eating breakfast, doing life. And in the panicked surprise she yells for her husband from the computer. The news displayed on the screen turns just about every dry eye into pools of sadness over the loss of a close friend's young son, for thirty isn't by any means figured as the average life expectancy of males here in America. What once was a joyous occasion simply celebrating friendship and the blessings that follow oh so quickly turns into one of celebrating the life of an old friend, however, not as joyous as the previous. Tears overflowing, wondering minds, grieving hearts; these are what consumed the current "happening" as I witnessed the care of an old friend running to aid and cradle the heart of the mother who lost a beloved son. How heart-wrenching it must be to bury your child. Gentle with words she had to be as she had to be the strongest of the two over the telephone. No words are there to truly comfort in this state of overwhelming sadness and question. But as I sit there, the oh so common dilemma of how to comfort those involved takes over, over-ruling every thought previously occupying the spaces in my mind. What do I do? What do I say? No one ever really anticipates the mode of comfort they will cling to or really they can't. People are different. Some want you to just listen and be. Some want responses, answers. But what will I do? I truly believe that people, for the most part, genuinely have good intentions but unfortunately the little flapper that rarely really rests between the lips, also known as a tongue, more times than not tends to get us in trouble. We try to say what we mean and many times it goes over like a lead balloon... and the little "rudder" has us trying to dig ourselves out of the hole our tongue got us into. So especially in a situation like the passing of a friend's family member or a friend or really the whole realm in general, sometimes the worst thing to do is open your mouth.
After sitting long enough to contemplate how best to be there for them, I resulted to the love language of physical touch. No matter where you're from sometimes nothing says "I'm here for you" more when you're grieving than a hug that conveys all that needs to be said and heard. Hold them close enough to feel their heart cry... the best physical comfort. Embraces of love sometimes override smooth words or the attempt of. If only there was some sort of fool proof guidebook for comforting... Comforting 101... Comforting for Dummies... 5 Easy Steps to Comforting... I mean there's one for everything else! Now are they all legit and actually work? Eh... probably not.
Nevertheless, just as people change, so does life... with every breath. Love deeply and truly. Show it. Tell them. Laugh from the gut, wholeheartedly... laughter beats Vicodin! haha Ok maybe not but it ease the pressures of the heart and of life sometimes. The best way to learn the how-to's of those in your life is to observe, take notice, and get to know them. Live in and by truth everyday. Be true to you and to others. Be real. Let others get to know you. Be there for others not just co-exist. Life's too short to waste it being fake or a replica, a copy of someone else, too short to not smile. Love in word and deed; without action it's just cliche and "talk is cheap." :)
