Appreciate the you God has made!

My mother tells me I’m clever.  She has expressed this notion more times than I can count.  But with this statement she also says that she is not.  It goes something like this.  “Sherida, you are so clever,” as she looks at a piece of clothing I have sewn or has heard a goofy comment I’ve just made.  “I don’t know where you get it, but it sure wasn’t from me,” she finishes.

After listening to this for years and years, I finally decided to chime in and say, “Yes, Mom, when God was passing out the good stuff, you happened to be in the bathroom.” Everyone laughs and that’s the end of it.

My mother has no reason to make such statements about herself.  Of all the women I know, she is the best and most compassionate Registered Nurse, and now caregiver, I have ever known.  She was good at her job and the nurses aides who were lazy did not like her very well, which means she was really good at her job. She now meticulously cares for my dad and he is happy. She is a good mother and a good wife in every way and we all in the family are very blessed.

Everyone is a product of the God of Heaven and everyone has something unique to share, especially those folks who suffer great physical or mental hardship. Hidden underneath the suffering is a wealth of gifts that can be dispersed to their fellow man. 

All you have to do is look at the many amazing stories people share on Facebook, or the stories that are broadcast at the end of a television news hour about those who have overcome great odds or have exhibited extraordinary care for someone else. 

We love to hear these uplifting stories, and we all can be an uplifting story!  Our day to day encounters with people can be exercises for us to show kindness, compassion, humor, and patience.  We can brighten someone’s day and bring out the good that may be hiding under a weight of care and worry. 

Instead of beating ourselves up because we don’t think we are talented or clever we can do something better.  We can be Jesus to someone today.

Take to heart the words of the Psalmist when you start looking down on yourself: I praise you (God), for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Ps. 139:14