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People are the greatest resource and best investment of your time in this world. Sometimes, things get so busy, and demands get so high, that people feel like interruptions. Many times, people can feel like "hurdles to progress", but this is never the case.
People are not only necessary for progress to occur, but true progress will never happen without people. All the things that seem so urgent can really wait; and, many times, all the people who feel like interruptions in your day are worthy of and deserve your present attention. When people are themselves the investment of our energy, focus, and time, we will discover that not only is progress being made, but life is being lived in the midst of the progress. Relationships are being developed, and as these bonds deepen and strengthen, more people come together and true progress takes place in every sense of the word.
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Last night, I discovered my grandfather's dissertation he wrote in 1965 while studying Animal Breeding at Texas A&M. I am eager to read it, and, in doing so, learn a bit more about this man whom I admire so much.
I was reflecting on the tragedy that children and young people lack an appreciation for things which are extraordinary. Granddad died six years ago, and I am just now discovering this dissertation that he, no doubt, spent hours and hours of his life and energy upon. I wish that I could have appreciated it when I was younger, and when he was still alive. I feel as though I have a unique connection to him as I myself am in the early stages of a doctoral program, and could understand more and appreciate more the significance of what he accomplished in that paper. I really want to instill in my kids, as much as is possible, to fully appreciate people and accomplishments that are unique, remarkable, and outstanding; I want them to appreciate people, especially, before they are gone from this earth forever. I frequently will have these moments when seemingly out of nowhere someone will pop into my mind. I'll think through certain memories I have of them, and often wonder where they are and what they're doing now, if I don't already know.
Sometimes I wonder if the Lord puts people on my heart and mind just to pray for them. Perhaps, he places them on my heart and mind to pray for them even when I have no idea what I'm praying for. Then, I think that it would be nice if they knew that someone was thinking of them and praying for them. It does seem significantly special to someone when they know that someone else is thinking about them, and especially praying for them. It seems that, perhaps more than anything else, to make someone feel special is just to let them know that you're thinking of them. I have found that to do this requires me to not worry about their potential reaction to me telling them I'm thinking about them. So, when the Lord brings someone to my heart and mind, I'm going to try to make it a point to let them know. Even if all I say is, "I'm thinking about you and praying for you", it has the potential to make their day, week, or even year. What an easy way to cheer someone up! And, perhaps, in praying for them, the Lord uses it in some ultra-significant way to alter the course of their lives. Emotions sure are a funny thing. Just now, I was driving down the road as happy and content as could be. The weather is absolutely glorious, and I was thinking about how good weather positively affects people's emotions.
Then, suddenly, I remembered an event that happened with a fellow Officer months ago. Instantaneously, I found myself getting angry. Just like that, in a split second, I went from utter happiness and contentment to anger. Why is this? Have I no more control over my emotions than this? The last fruit of the Spirit listed in Scripture is that of self-control. Perhaps I need to beg the Lord for more of that in the area of my emotions. Are all human beings like this? Or, is it just me? I think I will spend the rest of my drive singing and talking with Jesus, trying to enjoy this blessed weather He's given me today. Here is my thought for today: the one thing I really lack in this life is deep, meaningful companionship. There are plenty of people who wish to simply talk. They will fill the void of time and space with empty words. However, there are very few who are actually willing to truly dialogue; dialogue for lengthy periods of time and, in doing so, travel to great depths together
This is something I long for and I crave. I read about it in men like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Where are these men of today? I don't want to waste my time and waste my life talking aimlessly. I want to think. I want to think deeply. I want to converse deeply. I want to, for whatever short time the Lord gives me on this planet, think as deeply as any man who has ever lived. I want to verbalize those thoughts with other men who want the same things. But, where are they? |
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