Our Inspired Journey

Forty Years, Lesson by Lesson

Lesson Two – “You are important”

After a debilitating knee injury and a business setback, I felt beleaguered and frustrated.  I was limited and falling behind.  I grew impatient with God who promised His unfailing love but who wasn’t helping me.  Worse than that, it felt as though He was standing against me.  I was about to understand why.

It was Monday and I had a two o’clock appointment.  Mary’s husband had passed away recently and there were decisions to make.  Advised by her sister to contact me, she had arrived early with her six year old daughter.  I was behind that day and was rushing to finish a report.  I just needed a few more minutes and so they waited.  I finally rounded the corner to receive them twenty minutes past the hour.  Mary smiled wistfully and introduced me to her daughter, Amanda.  As we returned to my office, Mary sat down and explained her circumstances while Amanda patiently stood next to mom.  I began to respond when Mary interrupted: “Can you tell me how long this might take?”   I began with the words: “Well, we have a lot to cover” when she looked at her watch then put her hand to her face to hide her tears.  Distraught over her mother’s tears, Amanda slapped my desk and demanded: “Why did you make us wait, who do you think you are”?

Mary’s car wouldn’t start that morning but it was important to her to keep our appointment.  No one was available to help so Mary and Amanda had come by bus.  They had to be back at the bus stop in time for Amanda to be home for soccer practice so we would have to meet again another time.  With Amanda’s words still stinging in my ears, I offered to drive them home.  Mary insisted they would return as they came.  I walked with them out of the building, through the courtyard and down to the street.  After an endless stream of apologies, I said goodbye and watched them walk hand-in-hand to the corner bus stop.  Once on board, the bus approached where I remained, engulfed in shame.  As they passed by, I could see that Amanda was gazing out the bus window but when she saw me, she turned and faced the other way.  It was as though God Himself had turned His face from me.

I was important to Mary that day.  She made an extraordinary effort to keep an appointment she considered very important.  As for me, my thoughts were about myself, my schedule, my tasks and my priorities.  I was more important than Mary. 

God says that we are to treat others as ourselves (Matthew 7:12).  To do this we must sincerely regard others as important as ourselves.  The arrogant are not limited to those who are egotistical and boastful outwardly.  Included are those who harbor the latent belief that they are more important than someone, anyone.  I was one of these people.  God says he opposes the proud (Proverbs 16:5, James 4:6, 1Peter 5:5). 

God promises that if we humble ourselves before Him, He will lift us up (James 4:10).  When we regard and treat others as more important than ourselves, it pleases Him.  Think of those in our lives that are encouraging, supporting, delight in our achievements, always listening and always there to help.  They want for us before themselves; they make us feel more important.  We cherish and treasure them, lifting them high in our thoughts.   As we do, God fulfills His promise to exalt them (Luke 18:14). 

Before engaging any person you come in contact with today, look at them and say to yourself, “You are important”.  This will change what will be said, how it is said and what will happen.  God will bless you, you will bless others and little faces like Amanda’s will beam at your sight.