So much to learn!!
I have been frustrated lately. Frustrated with myself, but mostly with others. Sometimes I wish they would all go away. I know that I am no piece of cake, but there is something about the characteristics of others that annoys me greatly, even to the point of overlooking my own shortcomings. I have been thinking alot lately about people and how I want to have an impact in their lives. But I always can't get past the little things to see the bigger picture. This last Sunday was one of the best Sundays I have ever had. And I didn't watch any football. It was a fellowship Sunday at Church and I got to talk to alot of different people which I haven't done in awhile. I've been desiring that for a long time. But I think the best part of Sunday was Lilly, Carl's daughter, wanted me to take her outside to play. As we walked around, she pointed out different flowers to me and then we stopped at a puddle where she played for awhile. I just watched her and thought to myself, "How beautiful". Here is a little girl who finds the most joy in all of the simple things of life. It made me wish that I could dwell on these things and not be sucked in to the world's way of running things. For the first time in awhile, I actually felt happy. It was adorable to watch her play while she talked to me, some things of which couldn't be understood. I think children have a way of teaching us about what is really important in life. One of my favorite movies, "Little Miss Sunshine", has a scene where Dwayne, the son, finds out he can't fly airplanes because he is colored blind. When he finds out, he explodes and has an outburst, yelling at his family and wanting to be left alone. The mom tries to talk to him, but he won't listen. Then Olive, his little sister, stumbles down the hill and sits next to him with her little arm around him. In a few seconds, he wipes his tears and gets up with her to hed back up to the family. Dwayne then apologizes for his outburst. I love that scene so much. It just hammers home the power that is behind unconditional love. I think sometimes our best examples of this are found in children. Their innocence can crush even the most stubborn heart. I guess the irony comes in when we think that children have so much to learn in life from us. We're right, they do. But we have so much to learn from them too. I guess it is part of a process I need to go through. To let go of my frustrations and start enjoying where God has me right now. There are many parts of me I despise and if anyone has experienced any of those parts, I apologize. I've got alot left to learn. Thanks Lilly for reminding me that the precious things in life can sometimes be found in a flower or a puddle. Later.
posted by Brent Hitman at 1:23 PM
4 Comments:
Wow, that was wierd. I totally had the exact same experience on Sunday. She must have taken you outside after me. We walked around with Trinity from one dandelion to the next then finally over to the puddles in the parking lot. I had the same thoughts that you did. Cool homes, see you in a couple hours.
I've decided that if I could hibernate, I would. Because I'm not ready to die, not yet, but I get really tired of living sometimes. So if I could just take a siesta from life, come back and appreciate people more (I imagine others would enjoy the bread from me just as much as having me back too), and things might be better. Ultimately this is flawed, as it can never happen, but also in that besides the fact that I like the winter, we don't realize how much these little things in life may affect us. Even if you hadn't consciously noted how Lilly had influenced your thinking, it may have manifested itself in your decisions and opinions. I guess that's what I've been telling myself when I feel like I would've much rather slept through a week. Sorry to get so self-indulgent. I have my own blog. I think we should hang out. Talking shit about life is more guiltless. Life has no feelings.
Childlike wonder is a wonderful thing. Whether it’s Lilly marveling at the flowers, or Magnus pounding out a monotonous beat on the drum, one can’t help but be encouraged by their joy. Do you think that they share the same sense of appreciation when they watch the adults taking satisfaction in adult things? I’ve often wondered if heaven is like that. Although everyone will be serving in different ways, they will all feel equally blessed. Some, who through the trials of spiritual growth in this life, would have enlarged capacities to receive blessing and take satisfaction in their expanded roles of service in heaven, while others, who are less mature, would be completely satisfied with their simple roles of service. Will the mature still be able to take joy in watching the immature as they are perfectly happy with their simple roles? And will the immature still be too happy to care that there are others with more complicated roles? I wonder?
Good post.
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