Day-in, day-out, this life sure can have its share of struggles. And some of those struggles usually are with the people we know and love best of all. Why is it that relationships are so hard sometimes?
Don't get me wrong. When it comes to relationships, I am blessed way beyond imagination! And, I am very, very grateful to God for each and every relationship He's given me. I am blessed by all the people God has placed in my life. Well, almost all the people (smile)...
So, why is it that we sometimes struggle with relationships in this life, especially when most of us are so blessed by all the people we know and love?
I believe the answer to that question is selfishness.
We are all selfish creatures. So, when it comes to our relationships, we want our own way. We'll get along with the other people God has placed in our lives (at work, at church, at school and maybe even in our own homes/families?) as long as they do just what we want them to do. Sound familiar?
Too often, many of us adopt a "my way or the highway" attitude when it comes to our closest relationships. As long as the other person agrees with me and what I think, then we'll get along. However, if they have another idea about a subject and I don't like it, well...
I love it when the lyrics of certain songs provide just the answers we need for the struggles we encounter in this life. I'm sure that all of us have at some time heard a song and immediately it touches our heart. Then, as often times happens, many, many years later those same lyrics are still stuck in your head reminding you of something that touched your heart long ago.
As I was thinking about writing this blog today and consequently mulling over the various events of the past week (which is what I do to get inspired for these blogs each week), one song kept popping into my head. It seemed to be just what I needed to hear again for the struggles I was experiencing with the various relationships in my life.
The name of the song is "Less of Me."
I first remember hearing this song back in 1978-79 at Dundee Presbyterian Church - Omaha, Nebraska. It was a Camp Sunday song that the high school students shared upon returning from their weeklong summer camp. The song really struck a chord (pun intended) with me, especially concerning my specific problem with selfishness. There have been many times over the past 30 years where I've had the lyrics to this song pop into my head, usually when I am in the midst of some struggle with a relationship and don't know what to do. The lyrics go like this:
Let me be a little kinder
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those around me
Let me praise a little more
Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me
Let me be a little braver
When temptation bids me waiver
Let me strive a little harder
To be all that I should be
Let me be a little meeker
With a brother that is weaker
Let me think more of my neighbor
And a little less of me
Struggles with relationships in this life? Try the less of me approach. It has helped me...
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Giving an Acceptance Speech
Today is Father's Day. And, since I have the happy, joyful, wonderful privilege of being a Dad, I've been thinking a lot about that the past few days...
What kept coming to mind as Father's Day approached was giving an acceptance speech. You know, kind of like they do at the Oscars and/or any other annual awards program? When the person who gets the award gets up there and says: "I'd like to thank..."
Well, here's what I'd say today in giving an acceptance speech for being a father.
First, I'd like to thank my God (heavenly Father) for giving me life and breath, and for providing His grace and salvation (eternal life) through Jesus Christ, my Lord. He gave me the most important gift I'll ever receive in this life! He saved me when I was lost. Thank you!
Next, I'd like to thank my Dad (earthly father) for marrying my Mom, and for bringing me into this world so many years ago. He loved me through so many tough times, and still loves me very much even to this day. I'm his only son and he has always been proud of me. He taught me to work and work hard, and always to do my best. Thank you, Dad!
I'd like to thank my loving and faithful wife, Ellen, who has always stood by me, supporting me in countless and incredible ways. She loved me enough (and still does!) to carry all four of our children to birth, thus giving me the fantastic privilege of being a Dad! She has stood by me - day in, day out - for almost thirty years, working very hard to make sure our house is a "home," and faithfully teach our children alongside me. Thank you, sweetie!
I'd like to thank my son, Andy, who always challenges me to consider "dreaming bigger, " reaching for whatever opportunities/goals are next. He's advised me with an unusual boldness when I really needed it, and called me up to places I still feel like I don't belong (largely due to periodic, misguided feelings of inadequacy/unworthiness, as well as times of very low self esteem). Thanks, Andy!
I'd like to thank my daughter, Katie, who always makes me feel so special, as though she's really glad to see me/be with me! She's helped me understand (just as her Mom has attempted to do for many years) that this life should be fun and lived to the fullest. She's also encouraged me to not take myself so seriously (which I need to be reminded of a lot!). She is an incredibly talented, resourceful and beautiful young lady! Brave, too. Thanks, Katie!
I'd like to thank my son, Peter, who so confidently accepts every stage of his life, and then makes it look so easy to be who he is (and do all that he does). He always calls me up to even higher levels of integrity, discipline and faithfulness, probably without even knowing that he is doing that. He's continually demonstrated extreme loyalty to his immediate family, as well as uncommon selflessness to long-time friends. Thanks, Peter!
I'd like to thank my son, Nathan, who always makes me smile, and causes me to laugh at so many things that are funny in life. He's proved himself to be a valuable friend to many, including his siblings! He provides his mother and me the delight of offering a place for his teenage friends to hangout and have fun. He has an uncanny sense for distinguishing right from wrong. He's brought a lot of joy to me over the years. Thanks, Nathan!
I'd like to thank Annie and Kristen, two chosen women who have truly captivated the hearts of my older sons, Andy and Peter. Thank you for being faithful to them, and for providing the companionship that they will need for this life. Thank you for allowing me, at times, to be another "father" to each of you. Thanks, Annie and Kristen!
Finally, I'd like to thank all those who have played strategic parts in helping me learn more about being a godly father, and then calling me up to that challenging task. I'm talking about the pastors, teachers, friends, family members and other acquaintenances/authors who have offered advice and loving instruction when I needed it most. Thank you all for caring enough to make yourselves available to me (and to my children) when "just me" alone would not have been enough. The responsibility of being a father is not something to be taken lightly, not for the faint of heart and not to be accomplished all on your own. No one is completely adequate for the task in and of themselves alone. It takes the wisdom and assistance of many to do it well.
So, if I were giving an acceptance speech for "fatherhood," that is what I'd say. I am a very blessed man today...
What kept coming to mind as Father's Day approached was giving an acceptance speech. You know, kind of like they do at the Oscars and/or any other annual awards program? When the person who gets the award gets up there and says: "I'd like to thank..."
Well, here's what I'd say today in giving an acceptance speech for being a father.
First, I'd like to thank my God (heavenly Father) for giving me life and breath, and for providing His grace and salvation (eternal life) through Jesus Christ, my Lord. He gave me the most important gift I'll ever receive in this life! He saved me when I was lost. Thank you!
Next, I'd like to thank my Dad (earthly father) for marrying my Mom, and for bringing me into this world so many years ago. He loved me through so many tough times, and still loves me very much even to this day. I'm his only son and he has always been proud of me. He taught me to work and work hard, and always to do my best. Thank you, Dad!
I'd like to thank my loving and faithful wife, Ellen, who has always stood by me, supporting me in countless and incredible ways. She loved me enough (and still does!) to carry all four of our children to birth, thus giving me the fantastic privilege of being a Dad! She has stood by me - day in, day out - for almost thirty years, working very hard to make sure our house is a "home," and faithfully teach our children alongside me. Thank you, sweetie!
I'd like to thank my son, Andy, who always challenges me to consider "dreaming bigger, " reaching for whatever opportunities/goals are next. He's advised me with an unusual boldness when I really needed it, and called me up to places I still feel like I don't belong (largely due to periodic, misguided feelings of inadequacy/unworthiness, as well as times of very low self esteem). Thanks, Andy!
I'd like to thank my daughter, Katie, who always makes me feel so special, as though she's really glad to see me/be with me! She's helped me understand (just as her Mom has attempted to do for many years) that this life should be fun and lived to the fullest. She's also encouraged me to not take myself so seriously (which I need to be reminded of a lot!). She is an incredibly talented, resourceful and beautiful young lady! Brave, too. Thanks, Katie!
I'd like to thank my son, Peter, who so confidently accepts every stage of his life, and then makes it look so easy to be who he is (and do all that he does). He always calls me up to even higher levels of integrity, discipline and faithfulness, probably without even knowing that he is doing that. He's continually demonstrated extreme loyalty to his immediate family, as well as uncommon selflessness to long-time friends. Thanks, Peter!
I'd like to thank my son, Nathan, who always makes me smile, and causes me to laugh at so many things that are funny in life. He's proved himself to be a valuable friend to many, including his siblings! He provides his mother and me the delight of offering a place for his teenage friends to hangout and have fun. He has an uncanny sense for distinguishing right from wrong. He's brought a lot of joy to me over the years. Thanks, Nathan!
I'd like to thank Annie and Kristen, two chosen women who have truly captivated the hearts of my older sons, Andy and Peter. Thank you for being faithful to them, and for providing the companionship that they will need for this life. Thank you for allowing me, at times, to be another "father" to each of you. Thanks, Annie and Kristen!
Finally, I'd like to thank all those who have played strategic parts in helping me learn more about being a godly father, and then calling me up to that challenging task. I'm talking about the pastors, teachers, friends, family members and other acquaintenances/authors who have offered advice and loving instruction when I needed it most. Thank you all for caring enough to make yourselves available to me (and to my children) when "just me" alone would not have been enough. The responsibility of being a father is not something to be taken lightly, not for the faint of heart and not to be accomplished all on your own. No one is completely adequate for the task in and of themselves alone. It takes the wisdom and assistance of many to do it well.
So, if I were giving an acceptance speech for "fatherhood," that is what I'd say. I am a very blessed man today...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The 10 Cannots of William J. H. Boetcker
I ran across some great words in my readings this past week. I don't exactly remember where I read them. But, I thought they were too good not to share them in this blog.
I was originally led to believe that these words were written/spoken by Abraham Lincoln. Upon doing more research, however, I discovered otherwise.
The great words I'm referring to are called The 10 Cannots of William J. H. Boetcker, originally published in 1916, and they read like this:
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
94 years later these words are still very powerful (and also very true!). God bless William J. H. Boetcker for writing them down.
I'm going to remember these 10 Cannots for a long time to come. Too bad these great words aren't "required reading" for all citizens of the United States of America today. We could really use wisdom like this again in our civic/political arena...
I was originally led to believe that these words were written/spoken by Abraham Lincoln. Upon doing more research, however, I discovered otherwise.
The great words I'm referring to are called The 10 Cannots of William J. H. Boetcker, originally published in 1916, and they read like this:
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
94 years later these words are still very powerful (and also very true!). God bless William J. H. Boetcker for writing them down.
I'm going to remember these 10 Cannots for a long time to come. Too bad these great words aren't "required reading" for all citizens of the United States of America today. We could really use wisdom like this again in our civic/political arena...
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