At last night's Marriage Alpha, the speaker talked about when his son was younger and he had to take him to diving lessons. After 147 dives in one afternoon, he lost 'focus' for awhile. But his son did not, "Hey, Dad, did you see that one?"..
"Sorry, bud, I missed that one."...
"Aww, it was my best one ever!"
As I was thinking about that tonight, I realize that we all have that inner child that needs applause when we accomplish something. For those of us stay-at-home moms or mothers of teens, that can be hard to come by. In fact we can feel devalued when all our efforts seem to come to naught, and worse, are not even appreciated.
Another picture came to mind, a picture of a crossing guard. Last year, we went past this school crossing where we were often stopped. Here, it was my delight to notice a senior, a, tall, black gentleman, as he waved the children across and went the extra mile in directing the traffic with grand gestures. He had pizzazz [sparkle, vitality, glamour - Collins Dictionary]! He was such a joy to watch. I wrote a letter to his employer, the Police Services, commending him as a man who seemed to be doing his job for an audience of One with all of his heart. I told my sons that he should be a role model for them.
The difference between this man and my immature child within is that that man was not performing his job for any accolades from man. After all, there was no-one in authority to notice him, yet he worked as if there was. For many years, I have sought the 'recognition' of my fellow humans unconsciously. Like the character in Max Lucado's fable, I defined my value by the labels others gave, good or bad. The thing is, in the end, other people's opinions did not seem to penetrate to my core of knowing my value [see my poem, "Like No Other" in my post, http://sitahenderson.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-need-to-be-like-no-other.html] and Satan capitalized on my journey of discovering my value by placing key people with destructive words of devaluation. But God is so faithful and has been bringing me out the pigpen of temporal labels. The damage done has been extensive and I know that it will take a while for His love and truth to completely wash over the lies, but I'm growing and I thank Him.
Now I realize that there is no satisfaction like the one I receive when I look up and into the eyes of my Father and encounter pure delight. Yep, God smiling at me. Imagine that, and I didn't even do anything. I did not have to perform. I just was His child. That's all. I don't need to try. I just need to look up. He does not miss a beat!
Father, Thank You that there is nothing I can or say that will increase or decrease Your love for me, for while I was yet a sinner, You died for me. How can I say thanks? Let me feel and see Your delight. I pray this especially for my brother tonight as it is his birthday. May he know Your special delight in him in this new year of his life. To You, O God, be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
3 comments:
Oh, to have a heart that serves Him with pizzaz, but not for others to see. To live my life for the approval of only One.
Wow! Sita, you comment on my blog today just simply blessed my socks off!!! Seriously, I think I will take that comment and stick it in my pocket and carry it will me for quite a while.
Thanks so much.
Now about your URL comment... are you meaning when you do a link? If so, simply click on the links button after highlighting what you want linked. Then a box will pop up asking for the URL. Type that in and it should make the words that were highlighted, link to that site. I hope that helps.
Blessings!
Well, I followed you from Lysa's blog to give you the instructions on how to link. But, it has already been answered, both here and at Lysa's comment section. So, I stuck around just to read your blog.
Nice. We all have those moments. I too, often look for approvals in the wrong places all the time. Thanks for that gentle reminder that God's approval is all we need.
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