Wednesday, October 27, 2010

All About Me

A friend of mine just posted a few minutes ago about the 3 items her daughter selected for a class project called "ALL ABOUT ME". The instructions are to choose 3 items that will let people know about you. Ava had chosen a ribbon that everyone in her gymnastics class received several years ago, a small picture of herself, and a stuffed poodle (which was the last minute replacement for her original choice of mint-flavored dental floss). I would love to be in the class when she ties these items into an explanation of who she is!! :)

Cody did the same project several years ago....either Kindergarten or 1st grade, and I was  puzzled by some of his original choices as well.  I know I used my powers of persuasion to get him to broaden his perception of himself. Plus, if I remember correctly, all 3 of his selections involved Spiderman! :) I love Spiderman myself, but I felt that there was a little more to Cody than than one dimension.
In retrospect, though, was I just trying to push my ideas on who he is rather than letting him tell about himself in his own way? Hmmm. What does that say about me?

Reading Ava's choices caused me to reflect upon what 3 things I would select that tells others about me. Would I choose 3 things that tell who I want to be...or would I choose 3 that tell who I really am? Is what I say is my main focus what I really am actually focused on? It is so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of doing that one loses focus on important things.

Paul sums it up so well in Romans 7:21-25~
" I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.  Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."

I thank God daily for His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Also, for the prompting of the Holy Spirit who gives me these little nudges...and sometimes a HUGE nudge...to reflect upon if my words and actions are in sync. Tonight it was the reading of a cute anecdote that made me go from a humorous "what would I choose?"  (and a few things immediately popped into my mind over how I spend my time.) to a serious reflection of "what would I choose?" that sums up the woman I want to be. Perhaps it is once again time to do a little tweaking of my lifestyle. I want to be the woman God sees and says I will be. I may never get to where I would like to be on my spiritual journey, but at the end of my life....well, it is best said by the author of "Amazing Grace":

My memory is nearly gone;
but I remember two things;
That I am a great sinner, and
that Christ is a great Saviour.
John Newton (1725-1807)
English minister and hymn writer


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqJsBRFdrA0

1 comment:

Cheryl G said...

Thank you so much for this message Cindy. It made me stop and think. What popped into my head right away were: I would have the Bible, computer, and my pillow. I like the first one, but not so much the last one. Does it say I am too lazy? I think so, but the truth is I'm disabled and can only really minister right now online. I have a servants heart, but that would be 4 things. LOL I know you must have a list a mile long besides Spiderman! Have a blessed day!