Just Like Him
If I had followed in my father’s footsteps I would have become a plumbing contractor, but my dad discouraged it. I eventually understood his reservations, as I was not wired for the job.
My father wisely discerned the dichotomy between the raw realities of his job and my developing aptitudes. It was not unusual for him to forge metal pipes, or to carry a bathtub up a flight of stairs on his back. I, on the other hand, spent my time riding horses, dancing, and writing poetry. There wasn’t anything about me that matched a plumber’s qualifications. I just wanted to be like him. 
As an adolescent my desire to be like my dad meant taking on his profession and doing the job that he did each day. I later recognized the things that I most admired about him were character traits.
I observed how he cared for others. As a result people, even strangers quickly adopted him into their families, and they would rely on him for input or help with decisions or problems. People just seemed to feel better when he was around.
Author Maya Angelou wrote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel".
It is not the good works that we do for others that matter most in our relationships, though these are both necessary and beneficial; it is our manifest belief in the individual that matters. This is a Godly principle that my dad understood. We are all created to fulfill a matchless destiny. Knowing that someone believes in our ability to fulfill that destiny is compelling.
Jesus was the absolute Master at this! Consider the sensational change in the life of Mary Magdalene … and what about the 12 disciples? Jesus’ investment in their lives was so believable, His confidence in them so empowering, that even after He was physically taken away, they went on to revolutionize the entire world!
Following in His footsteps, the apostle Paul wrote this to the Corinthian church. “I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles”. By caring about and believing in others we validate their personal worth. These are the sentiments that capture people’s hearts.
He learned this from Jesus … as he sought to be just like HIM!
Colossians3:10 NLT Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Matthew 4:19 NLT Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Categories: Hope, Encouragement, Character Building
Very relevant- you explained the difference between Christianity and religion- the human need for acceptance and approval not based on work but on love and appreciation. Even Jesus Himself needed His father to shout from above "this is my beloved Son in whom iam well pleased.." May God reward you for this blog.
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I love this. We were just talking tonight about how all people have the need to be understood, and having this understanding is often a foundation for many relationships. Also- this devotional is really the heart of a mobilizer and and encourager. And it is fitting that it came from you- the greatest encourager I know!
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Explains the 'love deficit', the need to be needed, on planet earth and how necessary vital, living, growing and loving, relationships are in our walk towards home.
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Sister Donna, You always bless my heart. This is a very real word, for me one of those; she read my mail, she is speaking directly to me moments. A wonderful message in total, however for me this one line "By caring about and believing in others we validate their personal worth." says it all. Jesus gave value to all who drew near to Him, how can we do less. With all people this is the key and so much more with those who have been broken and made to believe they have no value. Through the building of relationship with the people here in Haverhill we have seen the richness of a Christlike love pay greater dividends than any bank. To see the countenance of a person change before you, eyes once cast to the ground, shoulders slouched, a face struck with pain. Now because relationship has been developed and deposits have been made a smile is your greeting from a person who has begun to understand that someone cares about what they think and feel. This is worth more to me than gold. Earlier I mentioned that you read my mail, well there has been one such relationship I myself have been avoiding, I will make that right this week. Thank you for this message, if only we as the "church" could get this. May the Lord richly bless you.
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All of these comments are so enlightening and stimulating, thank you! John I just finally stopped crying after readying yours. May God help us all to recognize the personal worth in others and ourselves that Jesus paid such a high price for!
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