(photo: A bare tree feels awkward to humans. To the forest, it’s perfect.)
Our prayers are mostly invisible.
There’s something about public recognition that is compelling though. Even if we are not present when recognition happens. Is this a general human condition to appreciate and enjoy recognition?
For some, being present during public recognition can be painfully embarrassing.
So when, or if, public recognition happens in a group and we are not present, just knowing that others know makes many of us feel good.
Dear readers, today it’s with great pleasure I introduce Bob Stewart, a Husband, Father, Man of God, and writer. Today’s post is courtesy of Bob and is entitled:
“Who’s Not Capable?”
Have you ever felt you didn’t have the skills, background, character, or even physical traits to be a leader? Have people assumed you don’t have what it takes to lead without even giving you a chance to see what you can do?
God oftentimes in the Bible used the least likely character to be a leader. One leader in particular was one of the judges – Ehud. God would bring up “judges” or military leaders every time the Children of Israel needed a leader.
So one time God brought up a leader to deliver the Israelites from the Moabites. He brought up Ehud – a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 3:12-30).
Being left-handed meant one of three things in the Middle East during that time. You were either: 1) slow or stupid, 2) unclean, as left was considered the “restroom cleaning” hand, or 3) evil-minded. Either way, it wasn’t positive.
And the tribe of Benjamin was considered the “low man on the totem pole,” as Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob. The tribe of Benjamin also had a strong occurrence of left-handed members.
So all was against him going into this opportunity. However, God chose Ehud for a purpose. He was to kill the mighty King Eglon and lead Israel out of the Moabite control.
Ehud’s sword was strapped to the opposite side of his body, so the Moabite King didn’t notice the sword. He thought Ehud was a safe person to meet with him. But Ehud was able to kill King Eglon with the sword in his left hand and free the Israelites.
What does that have to do with us today? Many a time we believe we don’t have what it takes to be a leader when given an opportunity. We have traits that may be perceived as weaknesses, but God can use them as strengths!
I have shared that story over and over with my younger son, as he is smaller than everyone else in his class and is left-handed. Kids used to make fun of him for writing differently in school. I told him this story, and he was so amazed!
Now he considers being left-handed a bonus – a gift from God. And he connects more with me, because I am left-handed as well.
Fall. Back to school. Cooler temperatures. Colorful leaves. Pumpkins. Halloween. Sweaters. Swimming pools “closed for the season”.
Growing up in south-central Pennsylvania, these are the memories of Fall. An exciting time marked by dramatic changes from Summer.
Well, in central Florida, these changes from Summer to Fall are much less distinct. In fact, they are almost invisible.
Attempting to share some of our history and traditions with our son (9), a native Floridian, I had to find small ways to tell big stories.
So, the first night the temperature starts with a six instead of a seven, well, that’s when I officially declare Fall has arrived. We haven’t seen a day or night temperature below 70 since April, until today.
As we go through our busy lives, it’s these little things that make life more interesting, more “alive”, for me.
Do you have small ways to tell big stories? Want to share any here? Please feel free. But I’ll completely understand if you’re too busy.
