Sunday, February 28, 2010

"You've Got It Kid! You've Got It!"

Today I had an interesting talk with a man. He looked quite old in years. His life had been long and hard. He began to talk with me. As I listened, he imparted true wisdom. Here are some of the things he told me (he repeated things for clarity and greater emphasis):

"You've got it kid! You've got it! Don't let people tell you otherwise. I know you will do great things one day. Get a good education! Remember to get a really good education! Follow your dreams kid! Go for number one! You've got it!"

Keep in mind, I had never met this man. He just began talking to me after my dad introduced me and I just listened. It sounded almost prophetic. It was as if God wanted this man to tell me this for a reason. Later as we headed home, I pondered over what he had said. He had told me what he had done at 17. I was astounded. He had bought his own car, was working two part-time jobs, and did a great many other things that I have yet to start. He said that his daughter worked at a place where kids were handicapped. I think that what he meant by, "You've got it," was that I didn't have a mental or physical problem. I don't have a family to take care of yet. I am free to learn all I want. I can be anything that God wants me to be. Nothing is holding me back. I have a choice to make something of my life; to use it to serve God and bring Him glory in all I do. Why wait until I am his age and regret the choices I have made?

He also advised me to not think about women just yet. Here's what he said, as I recall: "Listen kid. Don't be thinking about women. They'll fill up your mind and you won't think straight. Like when you can't see the sun because the clouds are in the way. Thinking about women will distract you from getting a good education. Start thinking about your future today. You can be anything you want to be! Just go for it!"

Now I think education is good. Don't get me wrong. But what he failed to mention even once was that we are here to glorify our Creator. Getting a good education is great so long as we are using it for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31-33) And I also agree that thinking about women before I am ready for marriage will cloud my thinking. I need to be able to provide for a family before I think about looking for a wife and starting a family of my own. I trust that God will lead me. His plans are much greater than mine. I look forward to what he has in store for me.

David

10 comments:

Destiny said...

What a good post David! I'm so proud to call you my brother! Everything you said is so true!

:-)

Thaddeus said...

Yea, I agree this is great that you are figuring this out David! :)

Isabelle Nicole said...

Awesome! I really want to meet this guy! He sounds really cool! :)

A@roN LoCk said...

your blog is interesting. how can i follow you?

amanda.stallings said...

This post is quite inspiring. The only part that I view differently is the relationships. Maybe what he ment was dont take dating so seriously. Go on group dates with a lot of different people often. Find out the qualities you want in a wife. Then when you feel like your ready to settle down go ahead and date someone steadly.

Derek Kimball said...

good outlook. a "great" education is not the key to a happy/successful life. Nor is finding the perfect woman. But, it's not wrong to persue those things. We have to keep things in perspective. God deserves first priority in our lives much more than anything else. Sounds like you get that. great :) The old man definitely knew what he was saying about women. It's not that they necessarily lead us down a wrong path, its just that it's so easy to have a woman be our primary focus. Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt. Wasn't worth it in the least. This was great to read, good luck!

ladaisi said...

I love it when strangers just begin a conversation with me. Once I had an older guy come up to me and say, "Put on your glasses, kid, you've got a bright future," but I'm pretty sure he was high and didn't have any particular advice or prophetic word for me.

But your post made me think about the impact our words have on each other - especially the little things we say to strangers.

Keep writing!

MM said...

So are you getting a good education?

Ivan Martin Martinez said...

totalmente de acuerdo

DeBonair said...

That is so true! And it goes the other way as well! Men cloud girls minds as well. You are also correct that God is going to lead us to whoever we are supposed to be with. If he hasnt led us there yet it is because we are not ready or the person we are supposed to be with is not ready. Thanks for the post!