Tag: pride

  • FootPrints

    Gull Foot Prints in Sand

    We all leave footprints. Heavier prints in mud or wet areas. Lighter, fainter ones in sand or drier surfaces. Some take time to disappear. Other footprints, such as those created in sand, take merely a wave and they’re gone for eternity.

    While etched on whatever surface they land on, they make an impression. Question is: will it be a good, bad, or neutral impression?

    Will people remember me and you as being a positive encourager? Or, a Debbie-Downer, talk about herself and her life, all the time?

    Do you see signs of pride or humility? Helpfulness or selfishness? I LOVE being around and talking to folks who don’t have to be center stage. Someone who shows they care by listening and not filling in all the blanks for me. (I’ll admit that I struggle with this concept. My brain tends to go forward and search for the next thing I plan to say.)

    I attended an event where the speaker had the privilege of working with Mr. Rogers, host and producer of the popular kid’s television show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Earlier in life Fred Rogers studied for a pastoral ministry, but decided on a different career path. The lack of wholesome, educational television for our youth caused him to do something about what bothered him. He chose to devote his life’s work to creating wholesome, educational television programs for kids. What an impressive legacy he left behind!

    I learned from this event that everyone who came in contact with Mr. Rogers felt special. Young or old, able bodied, mentally or physically challenged, they were #1 in his book. He zeroed in on that one person—whomever was in front of him at that moment in time. Rogers possessed a gift. You felt you were the only one on Planet Earth. You mattered. Your thoughts, fears, dreams counted. Top Priority! Was he perfect? Of course not, and he’d be the first to admit his imperfections.

    At the symposium, the speaker highlighted a trailer scene where Mr. Rogers struggles to pitch a tent. He tried and tried to set the tent up properly. It turned out all wrong. The audience laughs and Rogers tries again to set it up, but it still doesn’t work. Rogers laughs along with the audience, admits defeat, and asks for help. He then patiently moves on to something else.

    We miss you, Mr. Rogers! Your positive influence, drive, concern for humankind will not be forgotten.

    He left a footprint wherever he walked, whenever he spoke. I came away from the event inspired and motivated to do better, be a better person, and be attentive to my neighbor. My neighbor is whomever God places on my path. Encourage, pray for, brighten the way for those in my sphere of influence.

    • What kind of footprint or mark do you want to leave for the ones you love?
    • Name some ways you plan to leave those kinds of footprints.

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  • Call to Me

    A dear Bible study leader and friend (Helen S.) calls Jeremiah 33:3 her “911” verse. In troubled times, she relies on this verse to reach out to God. In reaching out by calling His name, she also receives comfort and relief from fear.

    Fayette State Park, Upper Pennisula Michigan
    Fayette State Park, Upper Pennisula Michigan

    I like the concept too. This is a never-ending promise with no expiration date. One that’s good to remember in times of turmoil or distress. Not only does God promise to answer me, but I’ll receive a bonus: information leading to great and unsearchable things I don’t even know. How cool is that?

    “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”—Jeremiah 33:3.

    But I must take that first step of faith acknowledging the need for help. I cannot function alone and hang on to a prideful attitude. My heart must be open to the leading of a wise, Heavenly Father. To think that the God of the entire universe desires my fellowship—well, my finite mind can’t capture this fully. I don’t need to. I only need to trust and believe it is so.

    • Is there an area of your life you haven’t called out to God about?
    • Maybe there’s a piece you’re clinging to thinking you can handle all by yourself … do you think it’s time to let it go and let God take control?

    Dear God, I’m weary of trying to manage my life and my loved one’s lives too. The job is exhausting and usually doesn’t work out when I try to take control. I give You back this day, my tired body, and flighty mind. Take control of me. I relinquish the reins and ask that You be in charge. I’m excited to see what amazing results You’ll accomplish through me. Thank you. Amen.

  • Thick skin

    “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

    The question isn’t if we fail, it’s when we fail. We all fail in one area or another and cannot be good at everything all the time. I have my strengths and weaknesses, and so do you. The problem isn’t in the failing, but in the getting up, dusting off, and starting over again. It’s much easier to give up than to get up, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s a matter of pride. Do I get up again and start all over? Or, would it be easier just to quit and pretend I never started?

    If I rise up after taking a stumble (like receiving rejection letters from disinterested editors), Emerson claims this is great glory. I try to reason with myself and say, that’s only one publishing company—there’s many more out there to pursue.

    Lord, I pray for stamina and a thick skin to withstand rejection and failing. I know I will fail in some pursuits, but I also know this is part of life.

    Is there some project you’ve been meaning to complete?  Or a new craft or skill you’d like to learn more about? What would be the first step to tackle that idea? What’s to stop you today from beginning step #1?

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