Character

Challenging him to race to the bottom of the mountain was a huge mistake. Our skills were just not on the same level. He turned it up a notch and I, in a distorted flurry of thought, got going way to fast. He flawlessly made it to the bottom...I, well...ate it in a big way. First time to wear a helmet...and so glad I did. My husband took me to Colorado, some old family stopping grounds, to see the changes of the town and enjoy the mountains. The snow was beautiful, the weather like springtime skiing with sun shining.

When I hit the snow plowed ground at lightening (that is relative) speed, my thoughts were how long would I slide, what have I broken, and that was such a stupid move. And then all was quiet. I made an effort to reposition the leg with the one remaining ski. It worked, and I began to work all other extremities and realized I am still resilient! Yeah, I survived it in one piece. A fellow skier came down the hill delivering my other ski checking and to make sure I was OK and asking if he could help. I expressed my appreciation and when he saw that I able to move around, he headed on down. I was then on my own to reestablish my wherewithal. I too, finally had made it to the bottom of the mountain with snow still tucked in every crevice, literally from head to toe. Mel had guessed, as he stood waiting, what had happened...but all was well...a good time for a break.

We too, get going too fast on our life track sometimes. And we fall into frustration, into overdrive, disarray, and confusion...and end up sliding down a path that we have lost control over. And so many times it is due to a competitive spirit that is within us. I really hate admitting it but I do have that spirit. I see someone able to do things better than I, or faster or look better, or someone who is smarter and that edge of competition just raises its fiery head and ultimately causes me to fall.

When I was at this writers conference last week, Liz Higgs spoke a couple of times and told two stories that stuck with me. The first was an of an interview that she was very anxious about. She has shared her anxiousness with her husband and he replied, "just be Lizzie, that is what you are best at." It was a short but very effective response. Just be who we are...and not try to compete with others around. The other story was about Jesus. Remember the story about the lady who was caught in the act of adultery and dragged to the square where Jesus was speaking. There was great demonstration and a call to stone her. And Jesus remarked, let he who has not sinned throw the first stone. One by one the mockers began to leave and in the end it was just Jesus and the woman. Jesus was the only one qualified to thrown the stone, but he didn't because that would have been out of his character.

We step out of character when we try to be someone other than ourselves. Sure, we can always strive to be better, but we must know our limits and be trained to achieve the successes and challenges that God has put before us. Those are the competitive edges that are worthy. I am in a league of God's own and so are you. Our character is on the line. It is worthy of competition. Be of best character. Best character originates not from best behavior but from best thought....that comes from best training....and continued perseverance in mind and in body.
Romans 5:3-5 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us

Dear Lord, Help me to strengthen my even if you have to do it through my falls. And help me to embrace the fact that you have created me just as I am; blemishes, insecurities, strengths and weakness and all. And if I allow your input into my daily life, you will see to it that I am molded in the vision that you have for my life. Amen

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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!