Do you remember that Aesop’s Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare? If it’s been a while, let me give you the shortened version of the fable.
The Hare was always bragging and boasting to everyone how fast he was. Hare was telling the Tortoise how slow he thought, he was and that he felt sorry for him for being so slow. Then, tortoise challenges the Hare and says, “I am not, I bet I can beat you in a race!” The Hare basically laughs in his face, but takes on the bet. As the story goes, the tortoise did not move fast and Hare felt confident that he’d win, even if he laid down to take a nap. While the Hare napped, the tortoise stayed steady and came inches away from winning, when the Hare woke up and realized what was happening. It was too late for the Hare, the Tortoise won!
I bring this story up, because when I was younger I ran in a track club. I’ll never forget my first race. It was the mile. Because my parents came late to the track meet, my sister and I missed our heat in our age group. We had to race each other. I was beating her in all my glory, down the last lap… with about 100m. left.
When I turned I looked over my shoulder, I felt confident, too, I would win. I felt that the race was already won and I didn’t have to push too hard... and I’d be first place! But that wasn’t the case. I looked up at the stands and the crowd was cheering. But to my dismay, it wasn’t for me, but for Alexis because she was fiercely determined to beat me across that finish line. She gained speed and before I could react, she crossed the finish line a second before me. Lex got a red first place ribbon and I got a second place blue ribbon.
It was not my finest moment. But I learned a few things, from my fourth grade self.
Don’t underestimate what people can do when they are determined. My sister beat me that day, because of her determination. Stay Determined.
Don’t look over your shoulder in a race to see where people are because it wastes time from you meeting your goal/s. Stay Focused.
Don’t think for a second that you are better than anyone else, even if it’s clear, the differences between you and another’s talents. They can surprise you and have the ability to surpass you --- anytime. Stay Humble.
Now, in the race of life, I feel like I have moments where I keep looking to the left and right and determining for myself where I measure up in this world. Whether it’s deciding I don’t do enough as a parent, a teacher, a wife, a friend, as a Christian, or as a woman in society. When I start “eyeing up the competition”, so to speak, I start to lose who I am. Does that make sense?
When I start having negativity creep in, doubt, and, quite honestly, when I am irritable --- I know that hinders my strive for success. My light diminishes. Especially in this new chapter of life, where I am writing and podcasting, and there is so much content out there already for what I am doing, it’s easy to look over my shoulder and think how am I ever going to be successful? Do I bring value? Do I have what it takes?
When I get overwhelmed, I tend to go inward and not reach out to the One and Only who can and has pushed me through and carried me to do incredible things. I know Satan would love for me to trip and fall flat on my face, or to throw in the towel. Now that I am older, I am quicker to recognizing that self negative mindset, more and more! That's a good thing because being more aware of that dialogue that plays in my head, is the very stepping stone that brings me one step closer to a victory! Recognizing that negativity, complaining, self pity, self doubt, is what can keep me down and hold me back from giving it my best, is the starting line to something great!
Stare it down and take the stance of the Tortoise. I want to see it through his eyes. I imagine he had to give himself a pep talk .. "Yes, I know what the race looks like ahead. Yet, I still want to try and see what, I can do!" Or something like that ... because betting on yourself takes guts!
People also play a role. Who's in your pack? Who's around you, to steady your pace, who can you feed off, in a positive way, so we can also have the guts to crush the negativity and pick up the pace when you need to?!
I don't want to get it twisted, where I am looking at the pack, as a competition that I'll never win against. God's so gracious to put people who will push you and I to be better versions of ourselves. I am sure you can look around and see who's a part of your pack and be grateful they are right there with you. Even if that means He puts a Hare in front of you today, I challenge you to see that person as a part of the pack.
Don’t let them get to you but rather you get to them!
I’ve got to do a better job of recognizing the Hare for what it is and tell it --- NOT TODAY! The truth is, it’s mind over matter. What’s in my mind? What words are being said in your mind? Today it might be, you'll never have that relationship with your kids, they way so and so does. ----NOT TODAY!
There are so many affirmations in the word of God. If you don’t know that yet, try it! Because in there…. the author of life says,
You are more than enough to be the parent God called you to be! You are filled with gifts and talents and have so much potential! You are a light!! You matter and what you are striving for…. The person you are being molded to be … matters!! Spark that determination in you that reminds you of who you are!!
I want to be pushed out of my comfort zones so I don’t simply put it on cruise control and let others take over my race. By letting the negativity and the past drive us, it would be a disservice to all those in the stands -- cheering you and I on! Let's rally!
so....STAY DETERMINED:
In a world that can blur the lines of my lane, I need to stay determined to make those white lines bold. God calls us so many times in His word for us to not be afraid but to live fearlessly. Much like the Tortoise, I imagine he had to decide if he was going to let the fear of losing, the fear of not being enough, the fear of what others will think --- not get in the way of TRYING!
...STAY FOCUSED:
You and I are going to lose our way or get in the wrong lane ... that's being human. Therefore, I encourage you to stay focused! Stay focused on God’s approval, not the world’s. Stay focused on the one’s who you serve for there is great reward in that! Stay focused in suiting up with the word of God so Jesus can be the center of it all when the distractions get too much. Stay focused on whatever ignites that zest for life so you can fulfill your purpose!
...STAY HUMBLE:
Last, much like the lesson I learned with racing my sister and what the Hare had to learn was to run humble. Admitting that I don’t know it all. I'm not the fastest. There are people with talents and wisdom that are beyond what I have to offer. It doesn’t matter how long I have been a parent, runner, Christian, teacher ---- I need to take the position of humility so that I can learn.
If I think I am always right or push someone to see that I am right or brag to someone that I am right, then I’ve missed the mark! I’ve missed the point of the race. I’ve missed the lesson that could possibly shape me or to thrust me into my destiny. This one maybe a constant battle but one thing I have learned is, the quicker I say -- "less of me and more of YOU, God. It says, if I ask for wisdom, He will give it abundantly. That’s what I need as a parent to a teenager, 10 year old, and a four year old. I need that wisdom as a teacher and as a wife to build a strong marriage.
I can’t do life well, without Him. I can’t write or speak if I think I have something better to say then what God’s put on my heart. I hope that makes sense.
Be the tortoise and TRY because you never know how the outcome will turn out if you stay determined, focused, and humble!
ONWARD.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for the gifts and talents you’ve given our children and to us. Help us to come boldly to you when we do not know what’s the next step, need advice, feel alone, or feel like we can’t come to you because we don’t measure up. Thank you for your grace and mercy that is new each day, that you shower upon us. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on you and your truths which can battle any lie of the enemy. I ask that you would help us all to navigate the obstacles on our paths today and let the people around us become the pack that will help encourage us to do your work… to reach our destiny. I also ask that you would spark that determination in our spirit to keep trusting in you to put that fire in us to honor you in all we do.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Comentarios