There are other things that inspire me... my son Joe... even from an early age he has hyper-focused on what he wants to master and become good at. He used to love watching Robin Hood videos. One morning at the age of 4 he asked if he could have a bow and arrow, "Just like Robin Hood Mom!"... I remember him saying. I gently explained that having a bow and arrow would be dangerous and that there was not enough space between our neighborhood homes to safely use it outside. Robin Hood lived in a forest and the forest was a safe place to play with a bow and arrow. However, that didn't discourage him from the idea of having a bow and arrow. Immediately, his wheels began to turn as he hunted for a plastic hanger and wooden pencil, attempting then to launch the pencil as an arrow off the plastic hanger. I felt bad as I watched and thought to myself there is no way he would ever make it work, but I did not discourage or interrupt him from trying. Two hours later, with undying determination, he was still trying to make the thing work. Ouch... it was painful to watch! BUT... as you might have guessed... later that day he came bounding into where I was and announcing he made it work!.. something I would have to see to believe. Not only did it work but it flew all the way across the room! Way to go Joe! I was so proud of him for not giving up. We celebrated with ice cream sundaes! Presently he has used this same determination to become a very gifted and passionate piano player.
I am inspired by Joe's stick-to-it-ness!
My husband inspires me... He assumes a leadership role in his job... He is a Pastor. I believe a pastoral leadership role is the hardest kind of leadership out there. In his leadership he endures a lot of critism. But he hangs in there... a lot longer than I ever would have. He can do it beause he genuinely loves our church and the love he has stems from his love for God and the love he knows God has for him. He has a deep strength that can only come through God's Spirit and an assurance that nothing can separate us from His love. He has an enduring peace regardless of circumstances and stands like an unmovable rock in the storms of life. I love to watch what he will do next... His example helps keep me grounded in the things I know are good, right and excellent.
I am inspired by his deep grounding and unmovable resolve.
My daughter can draw! WOW... can she draw! When she draws she seems to lose herself in her creativity, beginning with a doodle yet finishing with an expression of something deep inside, similar to the way a simple flower bud emerges into a fantastic display of beauty and reveals something of it's creator if you take the time to notice. She doesn't yet realize how talented she is. She has a humility about her drawings and likes to keep to her gift to herself, to be used as self expression and exploring rather than for displaying. She even insists she doesn't draw well... Very frustrating for me to hear her say, but I so appreciate and respect her humility about it.
I'm inspired by her ability to express hidden beauty in creative, humble and beautiful ways.
Here's a sample of my daughter's talent... :O)
Stop today and take time to look for gifts of inspiration. What is it in the people, places or circumstances around you that can bring inspiration, encouragement and a smile to your face? You might create an "inspiration" journal and ask God to increase your awareness of what's been divinely placed in your life to help you re-gain a better perspective and inspire you to purposefully press on.
