--Don't Be Ashamed of Your Blessings!--
A good friend of mine told me recently that she realized that she had a creative mind and that she was going to begin to 'feed' and 'nurture' that part of her mind more often. All I could think when she said that was- DUH! Of course you have a creative mind- everyone that knows you knows that about you!
This got me thinking about myself. You know, one of my favorite sayings that I live my life by is: "Self Reflection is Key". Key to what? Key to improvement, to happiness, to preventing repeated mistakes. For me- key to wisdom! For years I have tried to look at my circumstances and my experiences from an outside view. I think about how others perceive me and what were the results of my actions. Is God pleased with me and how could I make a better impression? Am I making a positive impact on the world I'll one day leave behind?
God created me different. I don't mean like, Barney different... "Everyone is special, special.." playing in my head... I mean seriously, different from other people, different from other guys especially. And I don't mean different, like gay or peace & love or cult leader or gothic thoughts.. haha, you see I just got back from the beach:
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| Friends and family @ Myrtle Beach! |
I took my sisters and a previous foster child to the beach for spring break. It was the same
location as last year (I blogged about it too!) and it was just as cold as last year too! Regardless,
we had a ton of fun! I had some GREAT friends come up and visit with us and they certainly
made the experience that much more enjoyable.. Although I could probably take up all of your
time talking about how much fun we had- I want to at least try to stay on topic! You see, at the
hotel we stayed at, there is a water park, a couple pools, and a couple hot tubs (in addition to
obvious attractions of the beach!). Within a day or two only, I had countless children hanging all
over me! There were children on my back, pulling me under water, splashing me, waving at us up
and down the elevators and in the hallways, etc etc.. my kids made friends so fast because of my
ability to win all those little hearts over!!!
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| At least there were indoor pools :P |
Now as you can imagine, it was a bit awkward, as a young single male, to have all these children all over me when we don't even know one another and their parents are (for the most part) all sitting in the hot tub or the patio furniture doing nothing. I most certainly don't want to give the wrong impression!!! However, not a single one seemed to mind and everyone had such a great time! And to be honest- I had the best time of all. This is how I'm different. I loved every minute of it! Not for any of the wrong reasons- I just love making children happy. I love hanging out with them and having fun with them! We made so many new friends and in fact, there was one particular family that we hung out with a lot [went to dinner with them on our last day there and felt like we were saying bye to long lost family! :( The kids were so cool.. one was just so funny with the things she said and the expressions she made! They will be missed!! ].
This can be a problem to many.. and well, it has been on occasion. People just don't understand why someone like me would be.. 'the way I am!' without ill intentions. For some time now, I've lost the feeling that this is a good quality of mine. I've received a couple "negative reviews" let's say from a couple people and I've let it get to me- that my involvement in the lives of children is too much and not appropriate in this day and age.
After this week at the beach- seeing the joy I brought to all those children!- I remember again that this isn't a flaw, but a BLESSING from no one other than God above. He made me this way and I will not let close-minded, joy-less people make me believe otherwise again. If I do, then stories like this will not be possible:
As some of you may know, my family loves to roller skate! You could say we are addicted! Ha..
So... while we were at the beach, we decided to go the local skating rink (I've been before and it's
quite an impressive place!!).
While there, a kid came skating around (she was probably 8 or 9)
and she was singing at the top of her lungs! It was funny until I realized that the song that was
playing had many "bleeped out" words that she was not filtering herself. To make the impression
for you- this little girl was yelling "f*ing awesome" every time the chorus came around. I was
shocked and I couldn't help myself... "Excuse me, come here.." I say. She comes over (she was an
excellent skater!). "You know, you shouldn't be saying words like that. I don't even talk like that".
"Well, I'm not polite and I don't care" she says, "I can say whatever I want". I went on to explain
to her that yes, she can say whatever she wants, but she shouldn't. That God didn't make her a
young lady to sound like a sailor! I told her that other kids aren't going to think she's cool or
more mature just because of what comes out of her mouth. After some time of talking, I could tell
that I had struck a nerve. I had really made an impression and she really saw where I was coming
from. After that conversation, I was her instant friend! She followed my family around the rink
everywhere. You could tell that nobody gives her attention at home and the attention she may get,
is probably not positive (her parents had dropped her off there as they did often she told me).
When we left, she was to the point of tears. She hugged us many, many times. She begged me to come skating again the next day. She asked several times when she would see us again. It was tough to leave her behind. I wanted to find the parents and shake them up!!
If I had listened to some of these "nay-sayers" in my life- I would have avoided that kid in the first place and just let her be. An older male talking to a young, needy girl.. shame, shame, you know!? Without a shadow of a doubt though.. I KNOW that God placed me there for a major purpose. I impacted that child's life.. you'll read this and pray for her too.. and she will be so much better off now than she may have been before.
I want to encourage you, the reader, too.
Each of us are "..fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14
Know what special skills and qualities God has blessed you with and USE THEM!!! Don't let anyone or anything hinder the difference you could be making in this world! As a Holy Father, He wants to see you happy and successful! Even more so- He wants to see you bring out happiness and success in the lives of others too!
God Blessed You,
Michael
