The Measure Of A Man

I have had something on my mind the last little while. And I know that yall just love to peek inside the going's on in that wondrous place called my 'brain'. Hum. Most likely not. It usually isn't all that interesting. Mostly consisting of what I will have for supper that evening. But since it sometimes helps me in sorting out my thoughts by writing them down...guess what? You dear readers get the awesome..I mean painful pleasure of having them dumped in your lap, or on your laptop so to speak.

I am sitting here a tad miffed, perturbed, disturbed,peeved, and possibly slightly mad. At whom you may ask...and ask you may but that is personal info that I will not share. I just had a conversation a while ago with someone who was made to feel that his life will be a waste if he does not take another direction. Change courses. Go down a new road. Basically, chase the money trail. To make matters worse this sound 'advise' was given to him by a loved one. Someone who should be an encouragement. Someone who should be proud no matter what this person decides to do with his life. Although well meaning the person has only succeeded in making the other person feel small and very stupid for wanting to do what his heart is calling him to do. Possibly what God is calling him to do.

So this leads me rolling around in my mind...what is the measure of a man? What defines "success". Is a man not a success if he does not have twenty masters degrees and millions in the bank? What if he works at a car wash for minimum wage...but he goes home every night to his wife and family, not to the local bar. He has that same family in church every time the doors are open. He serves the Lord with his whole heart. He leads his family he protects his family. He works hard to provide for his family. His children admire and respect him. His wife looks at him as her hero. The one who has sacrificed his wants and desires to put others first. Is he not successful?

What about the young woman that desires to raise her own children. She does this out of love for them. So she makes sacrifices, she does without. She plans and learns how to make ends meet on her husbands income. She studies how to economize. She learns to realize it isn't about all the 'stuff'. She does not sit home eating bon bon's and watching the 'soaps' all day. She gives of herself. She desires to have a Godly home. She desires to be a help meet to her husband. She takes the role of caregiver, and homemaker as a Godly calling. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Is she not successful?

Now we go to the young person. Trying to figure it all out. Just what is this thing called life and what do I do with it. Pushed on direction, pulled another. Go this way, go that way. If you don't take this direction you will amount to nothing. Nothing? In Gods eyes? That is where we are supposed to see our reflection. Not in the world. So if that young person has stood for the Lord is all he or she does. If they have kept themselves from the world. If they have chosen to walk with the Lord and not fallen into the snares of the evil one. If they have made a stand for righteousness even though it has been so very hard at times....are they not successful?

Many men and women is this day are alone. They are raising a family alone. They work two jobs, maybe more. They struggle to put food on the table and shoes on the feet. But on the midst of hard times, they make time for their kids. They take them to church. They help with homework after a long day at a job with no chance for advancement. They do what they have to do, and they do it willingly. Without complaining. They make a home, they love their kids more then they love themselves. Are they not successful?

What does the world say....money, education, fame, things, ambition. Those are the measure of a man. Those are the things that make a man or woman successful. Read them. You know what? All those things can be taken away. They are not lasting. Is there something wrong with having the things in that list. No. As long as they don't become the whole of your being. As long as they don't lead you away from the Lord your God. As long as you understand all that man considers successful can be taken away in an instant. An instant.

  The true measure of a man is where he stands with the Lord. A man that is after Gods own heart is a man that will be a success in life. A man that is successful is a man that stays on his knees, praying over his family. A man that is successful is a man that leads by example. A man that is successful is  a man that does what he has to do to put food on the table. He works hard at his job no matter if his job is being the CEO of a large company, or if his job is changing your oil at the service station.

  The true measure of a man or woman is having the light of Christ shining from their eyes. And the love of Christ spilling out of their hearts. Nothing else counts.

God Bless and Happy Trails
RanchWife