It seems that in all of recorded history humankind has struggled with the notion that every unfortunate experience is someone's fault. We know that poor choices have contributed to the challenges some face, but we don't really want to ask ourselves how we managed to be more able to avoid bad choices. Sometimes the answer is easy because we had attentive, able parents and others who taught us, coached us, and held us accountable in love.
But we also know people with crumby situations early in life who found a path to productive, joy-filled lives. And we know folks who seem to have every advantage yet seem determined to plunge down the slopes of self-destruction at world record speeds.
So it seems to me that the question is about this: an early mentor of mine sought "coachable" folks to work with. This is an attitude that includes the following notions:(I) I don't know everything about anything. (2) I'm able to develop abilities, skills and a pool of wisdom about what I need to live well. (3) I'm willing to at least consider seriously information placed before me and see how it might inform what I am trying to accomplish.
So, when I am coachable, I thank God. And where I have not been willing to accept instruction in the past, I rejoice that the choice is mine and I can change. One of the gifts God gives us is discernment (making wise choices) and discerning who to rely on for information is an important blessing. No one individual (or group) knows everything about everything, so I strive to learn at least a little something from every person I encounter. And when I find someone willing to share their expertise and perspective generously, I try to be the best student I can be.
I believe that God blesses me by the good people He has placed in my life, by the skills I have and by what I don't yet know, because learning is a lifelong journey. I never know what interesting, insightful, comforting, or challenging new thing is just around the next corner or past the next intersection.
All Wise and Knowing God, thank You for all the blessings and challenges that You have allowed into my life. You teach me every day how reliable, how trustworthy You are and give me courage to expand my world through learning and doing new things in ways that bless Your children here on Earth. AMEN
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:1-3
But we also know people with crumby situations early in life who found a path to productive, joy-filled lives. And we know folks who seem to have every advantage yet seem determined to plunge down the slopes of self-destruction at world record speeds.
So it seems to me that the question is about this: an early mentor of mine sought "coachable" folks to work with. This is an attitude that includes the following notions:(I) I don't know everything about anything. (2) I'm able to develop abilities, skills and a pool of wisdom about what I need to live well. (3) I'm willing to at least consider seriously information placed before me and see how it might inform what I am trying to accomplish.
So, when I am coachable, I thank God. And where I have not been willing to accept instruction in the past, I rejoice that the choice is mine and I can change. One of the gifts God gives us is discernment (making wise choices) and discerning who to rely on for information is an important blessing. No one individual (or group) knows everything about everything, so I strive to learn at least a little something from every person I encounter. And when I find someone willing to share their expertise and perspective generously, I try to be the best student I can be.
I believe that God blesses me by the good people He has placed in my life, by the skills I have and by what I don't yet know, because learning is a lifelong journey. I never know what interesting, insightful, comforting, or challenging new thing is just around the next corner or past the next intersection.
All Wise and Knowing God, thank You for all the blessings and challenges that You have allowed into my life. You teach me every day how reliable, how trustworthy You are and give me courage to expand my world through learning and doing new things in ways that bless Your children here on Earth. AMEN
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:1-3
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