"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