Image from Seeds Of Change
Be warned this one takes a bit of time to get to the point, but I think in the end it is worth a read.
You know the old statement about any apple not falling too far from it's tree, well as much as we may like to say it not true it generally is, at least within some areas of our lives. I am very different then both my parents in many ways, but in some ways I am obviously their son.
My desire to always be 10 minutes early is really just a modified behavior of my parents always being 20 to 30 minutes early. They are getting better over time, my dad use to show up at events 30 minutes early and be frustrated because the people were not ready. Even with some modification though, they are still never late.
On time is LATE in my world, at least when it comes to me and my schedule. That is true about events, projects, schedules, ideas, etc. I just do not deal well with myself when I am late. I have even had people say, well we knew you were not coming because you were not ten minutes early. The odd thing is that I am very patient when it comes to dealing with others tardiness, which my father is not. Though after reading one of the stories below you may no believe that, honestly I really am patient in most things. Anyway, I am also patient when it comes to achieveing personal goals or instituting change in my life. When it comes to being on time though, I expect more from myself then I do from others.
After 13+ years of dating and being married, my wife is still trying to learn to deal with that characteristic of my personality. Her family will not be on time for their own funerals. Sunday mornings, when we ride together, will always finds me waiting on the sofa for her because we are suppose to leave at 9AM, not 9:10, or 9:15 or 9:20. I tell her I want to leave at 8:50, hoping that she will be ready by 9. When 9AM comes around she does not even have her shoes on more then 10% of the time. After getting on her shoes, she still has to pick her jewelry, find the stuff she wants to take (why she does not get it ready the night before like me I do not know...ARG!!!), and then we have to say good bye to the dogs. I handle it better then my dad, he pouts and is grumpy for days if you are not on time, I just mention it on the way to church and hope next week will be better. She tells me that she will try next week. I do not believe her when she says it, but maybe someday she will mean it.
Another classic example of the nature of my clan when it comes to taking care of situations happened at Best Buy. Yes, they are in my sights this week. I have been part of over 15 computers being bought at Best Buy over the years. Usually it is a friend or family member that wants me to help the pick a new system. I have yet to have a good experience with the computer department there. You stand in the Best Buy computer department, they walk by about 20 times (on the weekend they have three people working, and one of them normally is a trainee, and 50 customers waiting to buy...they need some more staff). Anyway, I am too the point now that I discourage people from buying computers there. Friends don’t let friends shop Best Buy. Typically, you can get the same deals at Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores. I only go to Best Buy when I am forced to by someone else.
Moving on, when my mom bought her computer my dad was with us at Best Buy. He has hearing aids, and in noisy situations he really is uncomfortable and wants to get out of those situations ASAP. That is understandable. Of course we are left standing there waiting for someone to go up the ladder to get the system my mom wants for 15 minutes. That is after 20 minutes of looking and no one coming to help us. As normal there were 50 customers and two workers. As we are standing there dad says in a short, frustrated tone - "What are we waiting for?" I tell him to get someone to go up the ladder and get the computer box. I point too it. Dad, about 68 at the time, says ok, and then begins to go up the ladder.
My mom was horrified, I was shocked, my wife was in pain due to her back from having to stand so long , and a Best Buy employee was there in about 2 seconds telling us we could not do that. I pointed out to him that there was no sign saying we could not, and there was not, and that we had been standing by the ladder for 15 minutes. He was not happy, but once we got dad down, the kid quickly got the system and began the extended warranty sale. I shut that down quickly, and we were off.
My mom was mumbling that she could not believe what dad did. I told her that I was surprised, but I could understand it. We quickly paid, got the computer home and my parents swore they would never go to Best Buy again, at least on a weekend. I am not even sure they have ever gone back in the store more then five times in the last five+ years ago now. Like myself they only go when forced too.
Well three weeks to the day later I was there buying a computer for myself. Similar situation with the delay and waiting beside the ladder. This time it was just my wife and I though. She jokingly said - "Well if your dad was here he would go up the ladder." I said that was true, and then I began to go up the ladder. This apple did not fall far from the tree.
Five seconds later I had a Best Buy employee there, and after a similar conversation about there being no sign and a quick trip by him up the ladder I had my computer. We skipped the warranty speech again with a simple one line response - Something roughly like - "I can fix it quicker then you all would get the part" - which was and is true. Anyway this time my wife was shocked at my actions. We quickly checked out, and agreed to never buy a computer for ourselves at Best Buy again. I am sure Best Buy corporate would be happy to know that 2 of the 3 people with my name in Knoxville will no longer be frequenting their computer department. They have also added signs about not using the ladders yourself.
I know this has been a bit long to get too the point, but here it is. As much as I may try at times, the nature of my parents shows through in my life. It may be modified a bit, and I may have some major difference in certain parts of my personality from them, but anyone that knows them quickly knows I am their son. Their habits, their ways, their nature all perminated my raising, and today their overall nature pours out of my life into all that I touch. They are good people, and they raised me well, so that is a positive thing overall, even with our bumps and warts.
That is exactly the way Christ calls us to be when you think about. We may be different then other believers in our skills, our call, our abilities, and our focus. In some ways we may even be significantly different then other believers, but people that know us should immediately see the attributes and actions of Christ pouring out of us. Christ poured all of Himself into us, and the Holy Spirit is alawys with us comforting, guiding and moving, so the fact that we are full of and guided by Godly ways and motives should pour out of us. His people will be known by their actions, words, and ways. The visible manifestations of Christ in our habits is a significant way that we should be noticeable to the world. Christ's ways should impact us, and our actions, more then the ways of our parents, our siblings, our friends, our co-workers, our pastor, etc.
Simply, we are specially chosen and set aside for the work of Christ. He indwells us, and by doing so becomes the significant molding force in our actions and lives. None that know His ways, be they lost or saved, should miss our relationship with Him. We are His fruit and He equips us for all that comes against us.
Have a great day, and allow Him to pour out of you into everyone you meet.
