We Stand On The Shoulders Of Giants...

[goodycoug]

In life, the power of role models is huge. Just about all of us have had individuals in our lives who have influenced us positively in various ways. I think of my spiritual mentor, Jim, who has given me a listening ear for so many hours on the phone as well as advice when I needed it. I think of my parents, who have provided me with a home to live in, food to eat, clothes on my back, wonderful memories, etc. I think of a late family friend named Ann, who used to give me a glass of Coca-Cola as a kid whenever we visited her and made me feel special. She had this twinkle in her eyes when I was around her. Like Oswald Chambers once wrote (my paraphrase): "Sometimes, when a particular person does an 'ordinary' thing, even though it may seem ordinary, the way in which they do it forever transfigures it for us in our mind(s)."

Sometimes, we don't appreciate other people as much as we should and the things that they model, achieve, or do for us. But as time goes by, we get older, we get in new situations and face unprecedented challenges, we develop a new vision and we see how great or how valuable people really were in our past. We have a greater appreciation for things that they said and did.

May we always give thanks for the people God has put in our lives who love us and spur us on towards love and good deeds, and especially for God HimSELF for all he does in loving us on an active basis, even when we are not conscious of his painstaking care on our behalf. He has put people in our lives who are models of His character; these are the faith giants whose shoulders we stand on!

[justonevoice]

That was more of n encouragement than you can imagine. Being able to be thankful for the blessings God has given us is also a blessing. I mean, so many people have blessings that they can't recognize. I thank God that your post has made me able to see blessings I had forgotten.

God bless you
Shirley !thumbsup!

[Sidewinder4]

Mom, Dad, their moms and dads, even Father Adam and Mother Eve, all put a portion into what is ultimately you.
In fable a stunning Fantasy Queen walks a golden chain suspended high above an underground chamber of unknown depth. With each step the former link evaporates as her foot rises. Her footing is sound but leaves the story as soon as used.
Not unlike reality actually, for each child was once physically linked to her mother all the way back to the Lady Eve. The melted trail that leads ultimately to the creative power of God.
Creative power, made in HIs image male AND FEMALE [both in his image] created he THEM, and called THEIR name Adam [one flesh], are all big concepts. The view here from these massive shoulders is awesome. I'm going to write about what I see. I invite you to do the same.
Continue in His Love,
Sidewinder4 :)

[b-a-berean]

Everyone's words here for some reason made me think of Jesus' words about how we are to come to Him as little children. Where is that passage?

Anyway, some of our best role models in the kingdom are those who humble themselves before our Heavenly Father with the same childlike confidence, boldness and awe that any little boy or girl has towards their earthly father. You know, that "my dad can do anything" kind of humble awe, or even that "Mommy, I hurt myself!" kind of reliance -- unquestioning trust -- that small children automatically have without a second thought.

That's the example of humility that we've seen most of all in Jesus Christ towards God the Father, that is a common characteristic of the most godly men and women toward God in the Holy Scriptures, that's a characteristic of the role models that have had the most lasting effect on the type of Christian I've been trying to be, and that's the kind of role model I, by God's grace alone, want to be to others.

Alas, a Christian's job is never done! Thanks for the topic, Goodycoug.

-Laurel