I've tried to mature in this pilgrim's walk by looking at as many situations each day as I can and pondering, "Lord, how are you trying to transform me more and more into You through this?"
I think it started when I had kids, looking at them as the Father looks at me - that perspective is invaluable. But it applies in pondering events in our communities, the nation, the world...and in situations like the young lady on the airport bench. It's in those situations where die to self and live for Him become real. In this tense moment, am I leading my kids in the way that they should go or am I just yelling at them because they are irritating selfish me? Am I really late for a meeting or am I making excuses why I didn't stop and pray for him (and is my being 2 minutes late really an eternal issue)? Are there some "good things" I need to say NO to in order to do a "great thing"?
Paralysis by analysis is real, but in a culture where "I'll do that later" actually means "never" because our calendars and clocks often overcome our intents, reflection on these types of things as they happen and taking a minute to pray and ponder (and repent when applicable) is how we will transform our minds - and the rest of us - to be more like Christ.
Excellent use of the "Father" analogy here (though maybe it's not really an analogy since God truly is our Heavenly Father). I first heard it when I was in college in a discussion on how we can/should approach the Father. But now that I have kids of my own, I find myself viewing things from the angle you just described. Keeping that perspective in all of life's situations would be key.
I think this topic of mental health is so important and yet so messy. As someone who dealt with functioning depression for a number of years, I hated when people "checked in" on me. It was like, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't feel like smiling all the time. How about you leave me alone?" But it was also some of those check in moments that made me realize maybe I wasn't fine and maybe I couldn't just "figure this out" on my own.
I think mental health concerns need to be destigmatized, but they also seem to have become a crutch for much of our society. We are so quick to slap a label on things and prescribe certain remedies. When did we stop caring about people as people? When did it become a burden to show compassion (both as the giver and receiver)? Why do we ignore some people who seem unapproachable and shower others with pity? Why don't we pick up the phone when we need to hear a friendly voice (or one of reproach)? Why do we overanalyze whether or not to engage with a stranger?
While I hate the phrase "do better" because it's often used so flippantly or condescendingly, there is truth in using it here. It's certainly a challenge to find the right time and right voice, but hopefully we can all move towards acting in love and not stay locked in the inaction of fear.
"gifs – the short little video clips that you can send via text or in comment sections to depict emotion in your reactions," except, of course, on The Memo.
Dude. It's like you're rubbing it in my face that I have to relearn how to use actual words on this platform.
I've tried to mature in this pilgrim's walk by looking at as many situations each day as I can and pondering, "Lord, how are you trying to transform me more and more into You through this?"
I think it started when I had kids, looking at them as the Father looks at me - that perspective is invaluable. But it applies in pondering events in our communities, the nation, the world...and in situations like the young lady on the airport bench. It's in those situations where die to self and live for Him become real. In this tense moment, am I leading my kids in the way that they should go or am I just yelling at them because they are irritating selfish me? Am I really late for a meeting or am I making excuses why I didn't stop and pray for him (and is my being 2 minutes late really an eternal issue)? Are there some "good things" I need to say NO to in order to do a "great thing"?
Paralysis by analysis is real, but in a culture where "I'll do that later" actually means "never" because our calendars and clocks often overcome our intents, reflection on these types of things as they happen and taking a minute to pray and ponder (and repent when applicable) is how we will transform our minds - and the rest of us - to be more like Christ.
Excellent use of the "Father" analogy here (though maybe it's not really an analogy since God truly is our Heavenly Father). I first heard it when I was in college in a discussion on how we can/should approach the Father. But now that I have kids of my own, I find myself viewing things from the angle you just described. Keeping that perspective in all of life's situations would be key.
I think this topic of mental health is so important and yet so messy. As someone who dealt with functioning depression for a number of years, I hated when people "checked in" on me. It was like, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't feel like smiling all the time. How about you leave me alone?" But it was also some of those check in moments that made me realize maybe I wasn't fine and maybe I couldn't just "figure this out" on my own.
I think mental health concerns need to be destigmatized, but they also seem to have become a crutch for much of our society. We are so quick to slap a label on things and prescribe certain remedies. When did we stop caring about people as people? When did it become a burden to show compassion (both as the giver and receiver)? Why do we ignore some people who seem unapproachable and shower others with pity? Why don't we pick up the phone when we need to hear a friendly voice (or one of reproach)? Why do we overanalyze whether or not to engage with a stranger?
While I hate the phrase "do better" because it's often used so flippantly or condescendingly, there is truth in using it here. It's certainly a challenge to find the right time and right voice, but hopefully we can all move towards acting in love and not stay locked in the inaction of fear.
I don't know. I'm rambling now.
Not rambling - good thoughts
"gifs – the short little video clips that you can send via text or in comment sections to depict emotion in your reactions," except, of course, on The Memo.
Dude. It's like you're rubbing it in my face that I have to relearn how to use actual words on this platform.