By Ada Brownell
(Adapted from Ada Brownell's book, Imagine the Future You Here)
Before you know what you hope for your tomorrows, think about who you are.
Below is a little profile I did of myself, and you can
create a similar one for you, pointing out why you are the person you at least
think you are.
1. I’ve been known to be a little scatterbrained. For
instance, I once turned off the water in our mobile home that my husband kept
running in the bathtub so the water pipes wouldn’t freeze. I forgot to turn the
water back on after I took a bath. I threw a big coat over my nightgown and
went out to thaw out the pipes (my husband was working out of town). The door
froze shut and I was locked outside in 30-below freezing temperatures at 2
o’clock in the morning.
2. I’m fun loving.
I’ve always loved games. I play board and card games like Rook, but my
favorites are action games such as tennis, volleyball, badminton, swimming,
baseball. I even enjoy walking, jogging, swinging.
3. Despite being a redhead with a temper that the Lord works on, I have a sense of humor. In high school, I won a
trophy for being best actress in a comedy one-act play contest. A judge took me
aside and told me I could go to Hollywood as another Lucille Ball. Was she
thinking talent or red hair? What I really enjoy is telling humorous stories about myself.
4. I enjoy working
and seeing things done, everything polished and organized. I used to say
turning a kitchen from messy to clean is like creating a piece of art. After
marriage, a clean nicely decorated house is connected to my self image.
5. I’m a germ-o-phobe.
In my mind we can avoid many illnesses. Take the flu shot. Get sunshine and
vitamin D for the immune system. Wash those hands. Sanitize. After writing on
the medical beat for seven years also I believe in using bleach on everything
after preparing meat in the kitchen, or after a person with a cold visits our
house. Guess that brings up bacteria-o-phobe. No rare meat, especially
hamburger--and chicken juices should run clear when cooked. No red or pink
anywhere. I always have grilled chicken heated twice when eating out. I came
down with salmonella from grilled chicken about a half dozen times from
restaurants. No more. Heat it twice, or I order deep fried. Grease is better
than germs.
6. I’m a seeker of
knowledge. I’ve been a student of the Bible since I was about 14, and
prayed for wisdom all my adult life. I enjoy picking people’s brains, in-depth
research, and anything that keeps me filled with truth.
7. I love romance.
To me the most romantic words ever spoken are “I love you. I want to marry you
and I will love only you until death parts us.” My husband and I made that vow
and kept to it now for many decades. I read squeaky clean inspirational
historical romance books with a lead character I like and sympathize with that
has a big problem that needs solved.
How
to probe who you are:
Ask yourself: What or who do I fear? What do I value?
What is most important to me? What do I cry about? What makes me laugh? What
have I done that I enjoyed? What have I done that I’m proud of? What is the one
thing I would like to do before Jesus comes or I die? When I am sad, who do I
talk to? Who would I like to help? Who have you helped that you didn’t have to?
What do I know that I would like to share? What would I
like to learn? Do I want God in my life? How has not knowing or knowing Jesus
affected me?
WHAT WILL YOU BE LIKE TOMORROW?
Now write a description of who you are now. In another column or on another
page describe what sort of person you would like to become and how you plan to
accomplish this change.
If you don’t know Jesus, think about how He showed His
love for you by dying on the cross so you could live forever. Have you
experienced the floods of joy that the writer of Since Jesus Came into My
Heart[1]
wrote about when he said “floods of joy o’er my soul like sea billows
roll?”
Like Lazarus, whose body had been lying cold, still, and
stinking in the tomb, then at Jesus’ command came alive, the sinner awakens to
new life.
Baptism is a testimony to the whole world that you have
experienced that spiritual resurrection. The newness of life comes through our
Redeemer, who is the only One who can rescue humans from sin and death. Peter
said it right after Pentecost, “Neither is there Salvation in any other; for
there is no other name given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Then, pray for God to lead you in your tomorrows, to
bless you, and believe with the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
©Ada
Brownell 2015
[1] The Rodeheaver Co. Copyright 1905; Renewal 1933 Words: Rufus H. McDaniel, 1914. Music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1914.
No comments:
Post a Comment