8/14/2019 Thought Today the Best That I Can Be

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THE THOUGHT TODAY

10/12/09The Best That I Can Be

Matthew 5:16 “That they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”

Its 12.20 a.m. and I realise that someone has entered my bedroom and was standing there. I thought

for a moment it was my wife, then I realised that it was my teenager Kristal. When I enquired what

was wrong, she said that she had a bad dream and joined us on the bed. As I struggled with thesnuffy nose and usual symptoms of Flu, I could not fall asleep again. I reassured her that she'd be

ok. As I struggled with sleep, I remembered my conversation with her as we journeyed from schoolearlier in the day.

As she shuffled her marked test papers in her hand, I noticed that she had 97% for one of hersubjects. Curious about her test results I asked her about the other subjects. Somewhat defensively,

she told me about scores in the seventies for two subjects. She did not know how she had performed

for other subjects. As we journeyed, I reassured her that she could turn seventies into nineties. Shemust not be disheartened. I only wanted her to be the best that she can be.

As I reflected on our conversation something struck me forcibly. You are a fine hypocrite Ashley I

thought. “Be the best that you can be?” Can I honestly give such advice to my child or any other? Ithought about my various roles and responsibilities: parent, civil servant, farmer, husband, Rotarian,

football administrator, President of a sports club, Methodist Church member with various

responsibilities as Chairman of the Organisation and Education Committee in my Circuit, memberof the Emmaeus Community and citizen at large. Have I been the best that I can be in those various

roles and responsibilities and in stewardship of God's gifts? Have I been the best in managing mytime to effectively juggle and fulfill my responsibilities? Have I been the best in managing money

and other resources given to me. Have I been best at using abilities, lent to me by God, to empower

others and build my own spiritual house?

Have I had a form of Godliness and denying the power thereof? Have I allowed ill discipline andbad habits to weaken even the witness within? Have I been erratic and inconsistent in my response

to family, church and community? Have I helped others to learn of and come into a saving

knowledge of the love of God? Have I, by my life and example, led others to deny Christ and hispossibilities to set at liberty those who are captive and to restore spiritual sight to persons dazzled or

blinded by life's experiences? The questions went on and on.

Are my good works and “busyness” seen and taken as examples, so that others are inspired toglorify our Father which art in heaven? Have I, by my life, constancy and witness mirrored theperfection of God so that others will be magnetised and drawn into a life giving empowering and

enduring relationship between man and God?

I pray that God will empower me to say, mean and show to my child and the world that “I am the

best that I can be through the indwelling presence of an Almighty God”

Today

Ashley R Cain

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