I am very proud of my two kids, and this week I was reminded even more of that. God has truly blessed BJ and I with two wonderful children that both love and respect us, and who are excellent representations of what we hope for them to be. On Tuesday I was reminded of this when I went to Andrew's school to discuss an opportunity for me to make t-shirts for the NJHS of Boone Middle. After my meeting, I was talking with Mr. Thorpe (an Administrator and one of Andrew's teachers) and one of the secretaries. They both continually sang the praises of Andrew. He has shown them that students CAN have integrity, morals, and respect. I was swelling with pride. Andrew isn't the best of students (academically speaking... like his old man), but he is a great kid... so great that he has had 4 Student of the Month nominations this year. I am so proud to be able to say to teachers and administration that I am Andrew Hendrix's father.
That same day, my little girl warmed my heart as well. Abi started soccer. She was sooooo cute in her little soccer shorts, cleats, and shin guards. I was so proud watching her immediately jump in to a group of kids that she does not know and make an impact. She did so well with the drills, and actually came close to scoring a goal during the little scrimmage. Her big personality stood out like her blonde ponytail as it danced among a sea of brunettes. More than once I heard from other parents about how cute my little girl was. I just smiled and said, "Thank you." When we were riding in the truck on the way home she couldn't stop talking, and I couldn't stop beaming. Her first game is this Saturday and she is in training. Every day after she gets home from school we go jogging around the neighborhood (yes, I can keep up just fine thank you!). She has a long way to go before she get compared with Mia Hamm or Kristine Lilly, but she already has a fan in this old softie.
Thinking about my kids and their impact on other people moved my thoughts to what I have been reading in Scripture. Last week I wrote about the Beatitudes, the "blessed are"'s that Jesus spoke in the 5th chapter of Matthew (vs. 3-12). The following verses (13-16) are usually called the "salt and light" verses. I was taught these verses completely divorced from the preceeding verses, and the main emphasis was on being a good "Christian"; which usually meant "don't drink, don't smoke, don't cuss, don't have sex outside of marriage, don't listen to 'secular' music, read your Bible every day, go to church, etc." Now, I'm not taking issue with these things (at least most of them), but I am taking issue with the teaching of these things as being the objects of intent for Jesus' instruction. These verses immediately follow the beatitudes which should lead us to understand that they are in reference to the beatitudes. In other words, we could read the passages (vs. 3-16) so:
It is good and right for you to be aware of your lack of righteousness and holiness before God. It is good and right for you to mourn this and to mourn the results of this in your life, the world, and in the lives of those around you. It is good and right for you to be gentle with others and to diligently seek the righteousness that you lack. It is good and right for you to be merciful to those who are just as unrighteous and unholy as you, and for you to be pure in your thoughts and actions. You should always pursue peace with these people, even if they are not peaceful towards you.
Why? Because this is what it means to live. This is what it means to be human. Living this way preserves and enhances the life you were given, and the lives of those around you... like salt. Living life any other way is to live in an inhuman way, lacking compassion and mercy. You would cease to be as you were created... kind of like salt that loses its saltiness. What purpose would you then serve, being inhuman? None. Living this way is the example for everyone. It is an obvious way of living that cannot be ignored or missed. It's like a city on a hill, or a lamp. You don't hide a lamp in a box do you? No, otherwise it wouldn't serve the purpose for which it was meant. You put it in the center of the room so it will light the house. Living according to how you were created is supposed to be done in an obvious way, not so you will be praised, but so God can be glorified.
I believe the beatitudes are given to us as the example of how to live, and if we do so we will be living in such a way as to glorify God, and if we do not we will be living in a way that negates our created purpose. Salt without saltiness is an impossibility, just as humanity without compassion and mercy is impossible (sure we are merciless and lack compassion... so can we be considerd fully human in these instances? Something to think about...). Living according to our created intent helps to not only preserve humanity, but to also propel it into the future (by example) and give continual glory to our Father in heaven. Jesus came to restore humanity. It is only through Him that we are able to live according to the "beatitudes." Without Jesus, we are not fully human... like un-salty salt, and a hidden lamp.
Andrew and Abi helped me see what it means to be "salt and light". Their actions (although different both in context and execution) showed me and others that it is possible to be honest, friendly, responsible, compassionate, respectful, cooperative, fun, and conciliatory. Do they always get it right? Of course not! Do they still make me proud and serve as a reminder of how I need to be living? Absolutely!
