Success

Success is such is funny thing. I think that most us have spent or will spend a whole lot of time and effort striving for success in many, many different areas of life. I however, got a taste of true success this weekend...even if for a brief moment.

So what is true success? Money? power? enlightenment? influence? acceptance? I think that we all bring different opinions as to what we think success is. Maybe we focus on success being that thing that we desire most. For instance, maybe the people that consider money to be the benchmark of success feel that way because they believe they are underpaid or because they compare what they make financially to everyone around them? Maybe, the people that see success as being about power feel that way because they feel powerless in their own lives. Powerless to their parents rules, powerless to their friends pressures, powerless to the demands of work or school influences, or powerless to addictions.

here are some insights as to successful living from the scriptures. This is really pretty good. You should check this proverb out more in depth.

Proverbs 1: 1-7
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.


As for me, I found success this weekend in my time with my daughter. This weekend my wife left for an overnight retreat with some of the senior high girls from our church. This was my wife's first night away from our 4 month old daughter. It was very tough for her to leave our little girl. But off she went, leaving yours truly alone with our little one. I don't know who was more nervous, me or my wife. I'm pretty sure it was me. I think my wife's nerves must have simply revolved around the fact that every female that knows my family was asking my wife, "is Jeremy going to be alright with her? Do we need to call in some reinforcements just in case?" In the defense of those naysayers...those comments were probably deserved. When it comes to handling little kids, I don't exactly have stellar resume' of babysitting or hanging out in nurseries. I'm usually the guy that says, "here you change her diaper" or "can you please make your kid stop crying in my ear."

This weekend however was different. It was AWESOME!! My little girl was in a great mood. She made meal time and bath time and nap time and bed time a pure joy for me. She laughed and cooed and hugged and slept in my arms for two straight days. It was incredible. Since it was my first time with her solo overnight, it was great to have the opportunity to learn some of her nuances and quirks. It was great to have the opportunity to learn what the different cries mean.

The fact that I was able to keep my child healthy, nourished, clean, safe, and LOVED. That's success...real success.