Being One-Another Minded

I wasn't in the "in-crowd" growing up. You know -- the crowd where everyone knew each other -- gathered together in their little groups, ate together, in clubs together, hung out together at recess. I was a shy child. I know that's hard to believe. Instead of going to the outgoing kids, my mom coaxed me to look for the other kids who are by themselves. She told me to show interest in them and ask questions about what they like. “If you care for others, you won’t be lonely yourself.” That nudging from my mom still serves me well today. At first it was hard to overcome my nervousness to talk to others I didn’t know. But over time, I learned to say hi to any girls who were sitting alone. I became more comfortable and now – here I am, many decades later, and I still follow my mom’s advice when I’m in a room filled with people I don’t know. Look for the lonely. I assure you. They are just hoping someone will speak to them.

It’s easy to walk into a crowded room and either stick with the people we know or hide in a corner with a phone. Yet this verse tells us otherwise: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10) We’re instructed to consider others. Introverts have difficulty making that first move toward a stranger. Believe me. I know. But as God’s children, we step out of our comfort zones and reach out as a service to the Lord -- looking for the lonely, looking for ways to bless others. "One another” is mentioned twice in that scripture. It shows us how important loving others is to God. Opening up the medicine cabinet right with the CURE for loneliness and shyness. Being “one another” minded. When we purposelly look to serve others, our shyness will melt away and we will make heart-to-heart connections.

I really wasn't outgoing, but I learned "to have friends, show yourself friendly". Now I have so many brothers and sisters in Christ. Please dear friends know that you are not alone! You are part of God’s beautiful, loving family. What if we began to pray and humble ourselves to become God's servants who live a life of ONE ANOTHER LIVING? "What can I do for you? What can I do for others that helps them to win?" We're ALL on the same team -- we're God's kids, and we represent our Father. Everyone will know us by being on the LIGHT side by our love for one another. All for ONE -- ONE for all.

Determined to be TWEAKABLE!

Tweakable: making fine adjustments, alterations, change, modification, adaptable

I know it's hard to believe, but I was a shy, timid introvert in my youth years. I avoided crowds, parties, and situations that created the MUST to interact with people. So, obviously, I was not voted to be "Most Popular". And, I know it's even harder to believe that, in some respects, I am still not, by my nature, outgoing. I literally have to force myself to walk up to people and create conversation. But, who wants to be THAT girl? I didn't, so I became TWEAKABLE. I realized, long ago, that if I remained being an introvert, I would never have friends. "If you want friends, you must show yourself friendly." Proverbs 18:24

In one of the devotional emails that I received from one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado, he said : "Here's some good news. You aren't stuck with today's personality. You aren't condemned to "grumpydom". You are tweak-able! So what if you were born a bigot? You don't have to die one. Where did we get the idea we can't change? Where do statements come from such as "It's just my nature to worry," or...."I'll always be pessimistic. I'm just that way." Or, "I have a bad temper. I can't help the way I react." Who says? Would we say, "It's just my nature to have a broken leg. I can't do anything about it." Of course not. If our body malfunctions, we seek help. Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts? Can't we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts! He wants us to have a heart like His!" He wants to tweak us!

And, I add to Max's words, if I desire to be that outgoing, optimistic, cheerful personality that others want to hang with, then, I must move out of my comfort zone, and be the gal that I want to hang with. When I'm that gal -- others will be drawn to me, and I will be drawn to those who need me and I need them.

And speaking of tweak-able, I'm so tweak-able that today, after spending two days in Tulsa, visiting dear friends and family, I'm taking a quick drive over to Oklahoma City to hang out with my Austin family. My son, Ryan Wuerch, will be running his 50th marathon on Sunday at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. This "tweakable" gal ran that OKC marathon as my first half-marathon seven years ago. I was tweakable enough to go from jaunts around the neighborhood and on my treadmill to all out gusto running my first half marathon (13.1 miles). That feat and all the other feats I've managed to accomplish would have never been possible if I had stayed in a mindset "I'll never change!" Change is possible -- and when we are willing to change -- the doors to adventure open wide!

Changing is Possible

I know it’s hard to believe, but in all honesty, I was a shy,timid introvert as I grew up. I avoided crowds, parties, and situations that would cause me to HAVE to interact with people. So, obviously, I was not chosen to be “Most Popular”. And, I know it’s even harder to believe that I am still, not by nature, outgoing. I literally have to force myself to walk up to people and create conversation. BUT, I realized, long ago, that if I remained in that mind-set, I would never have friends. “If you want friends, you must show yourself friendly.” I had to be willing to get out of my comfort zone and be willing to change. I had to become "tweak-able"!

One of my favorite authors, Max Lucado, puts it this way: “Here’s some good news. You aren’t stuck with today’s personality. You aren’t condemned to “grumpydom.” You are tweak-able! So what if you were born a bigot? You don’t have to die one. Where did we get the idea we can’t change? Where do statements come from such as, “It’s just my nature to worry,” or. . . “I’ll always be pessimistic. I’m just that way.” Or, “I have a bad temper. I can’t help the way I react.” Who says? Would we say, “It’s just my nature to have a broken leg. I can’t do anything about it.” Of course not. If our body malfunctions, we seek help. Shouldn’t we do the same with our hearts? Can’t we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts! He wants us to have a heart like His!”

And, I add to Max’s words, if we desire to be that outgoing, optimistic, cheerful personality that others want to hang with, then, we must purpose to live outside our comfort zones. We need to be the gal or guy that we want to hang with. When we're that gal or guy – others will gravitate to our "sunny" and even "funny" dispositions. They'll want to hang with us because we exude He Who lives BIG in us AND His personality ROCKS with joy, peace, abundance, patience, beauty and a merry heart!