A few days ago, I was admonishing my students about putting so much value in grades. “No one will remember your grade in calculus but they will remember if you were kind, generous, happy. Helping others is more important than grades. Learning to fail gracefully is an important life lesson.” I encouraged them.

But yesterday, I had my own set of setbacks, disappointments. I found myself needing to adhere to my own teachings (I hate when that happens). When we think about it, most of the things that upset us, are fleeing. Blips on the radar. Insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

I was reminded at the end of yesterday, that life on this planet is short. I don’t want to spend it arguing over politics, striving for riches, or worrying about tomorrow. I want to leave a legacy. I want to encourage the broken-hearted, welcome the outcast, give generously, Love recklessly, make people laugh. I want to find peace in the storm, joy in trials, hope in hopelessness. I want to be a refuge for the hurting, light for those in darkness. I want to live a life of significance.

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15-22‬ ‭NIV