Commandment # 10

In the sixth grade I had this really good friend named David. He was the new kid that transferred in from another school. David had the knack to make friends quickly, and in the midst, I became one of them, eventually one of his best. This guy was real funny, and that cool guy, that everyone wanted to be around. Both of us truly enjoyed competing at sports, and that was what connected our friendship. David became popular real fast and was the guy that all the girls seemed to be talking about. He played in the band, and became a star player of the baseball and soccer team. I quickly started to find myself looking at this friend, and thinking to myself, why not me?

I think we all have our metaphorical “David’s”. I know that even today I find myself wanting traits or talents of another.

"When we envy another, we make their virtue our vice. "
- Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux

It’s funny how Envy works hand-in-hand with Jealousy, and usually turns into bitterness.

Lately, I have been asking myself, is there some easy way to combat this common trap?

Most everyone desires to be smarter, stronger, better looking, more talented, more liked, more important, more _______ (you fill in the blank), than they feel they are.

I find that we live in a culture that is terribly loud (non-audible), where everyone is trying desperately to be heard.

My prayer would mirror Peter’s.

1 Peter 2
"1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."

Breakfast

I read an article this morning talking about the importance of eating a good breakfast and the reasons why.

Almost everyone has heard the phrase, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” I just wonder why so many, even me at times, don’t let it carry much importance.

The article is geared mostly to parents talking about the reasons why their children should eat a healthy breakfast. I am no child though I act like one sometimes and surely no parent, but regardless, I think this information is important to us as well. Stated from the article, these are the five reasons a child should eat a good breakfast:

1. Do better in school
2. Have more focus and concentration, more energy, and better eye-hand
coordination
3. Have fewer behavioral problems
4. Are more likely to meet their nutritional needs overall
5. Have an easier time staying at a healthy weight

I look at these reasons and start changing some of them. I start thinking, Performing better at work… Less agitation and more patience… and the rest seem to fit well. Sometimes I think that there are little differences between children and us. Some may say that we just have bigger toys.

Our physical diets or eating habits are important, but I have recently been thinking more and more on what that looks like in relation to our time with God. I view this article and I have to admit, I start thinking about a spiritual meal. What the heck is a spiritual breakfast?

I read in 1 Peter that we are to crave pure spiritual milk. I read this and started thinking about my time with God. Lately, I have been spending time with Him right before bed. This is the end of the day, after the hours of work, and the beat down. I guess I choose that time because it is when it is the most convenient.

Now I am wondering, after reading an article as such, whether it matters when we are spiritually fed. These psychologists and dieticians are saying that, breakfast is the most important meal. I am wondering what kind of difference it would make, to have my time with God before the world hits me. I am going to try it out, and in the mornings, start having my so-called spiritual breakfasts.

As I re-read the article, I continue to change the words. "Top five reasons to have your spiritual breakfast." What would be yours?

Encouragement

Have you ever known someone that was just really great at encouraging others? I think a lot of times we look for certain people to be our pillars of encouragement. People like our parents, really good friends, teachers, and coaches.

I can recall one of my baseball coaches. The team we had was middle of the pack in the league. We had some spotty talent but managed to be in all the games. I covered shortstop for the almost all the games and was our lead off hitter. They relied on me to get on base to turn singles into doubles. I was a great base stealer. I can recall the beginning of this one game and the coach came to me told me that I was pitching tonight. I had never started a game until this point. I look back at him and I asked him if he was sure. He looked at me and told me that I was one of his most talented players, and that he knew I would perform well. It’s funny how the smallest words can raise a person up. That game ended up being the best game I would ever pitch. It’s funny my warm up pitches were all in the dirt. But when I took the mound, I was in control. Those words of encouragement spurred on sixteen strikeouts in seven innings. I ended up only giving up one hit during the whole game.

Lately, I have been finding my comfort in the word. I’ve been spending time in 2 Corinthians. The words that resonate are these from Paul.

“Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.“

I think a lot of us get caught up in our own lives that we don’t see what others are doing around us; our friends, our family members, our colleagues. And even worse when we notice things, we are reluctant to encourage. I do think there is a skill to encouraging others. Too much of it isn’t encouraging, and not enough, well you get the point.

So how can we effectively encourage one another?

The other day during one of my normal commutes to work, I was thinking about my family, my friends and the others in my support system. The more I thought about these individuals the more I realized how amazingly gifted they are. I won’t hesitate to say that God has blessed me with those that I know. These folks are the smartest and most talented people I know, and the coolest part is that I get to learn from them.

So I will note if sometime in the near future you get some encouraging words from me, don’t be alarmed. The words are heartfelt and honest, but prepare, as it is me, a smug remark may follow.

A big thanks goes out to my family and friends, you all have truly been an encouraging part of my life.