You Are Now Here

“No Where” to realizing that they are “Now Here” Mother’s Day is always a special reminder to me on just how important it is to be a mentor to others. There is value in cultivating the potential in others. Maybe you are a parent, have a spouse, grandchildren, siblings, friends and neighbors. Maybe you have a career in or out of the home or you are retired. We all have an opportunity to be a valued influence to others rather you realize it or not.

Philippians 2:2-4 reminds us to be interested in the affairs of others and to help them. “Do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

This scripture reminds us that “others” could be anyone. There is always someone who we could bring valued encouragement and affirmation too. It takes energy, time, and dedicated effort to keep our focus off us and our agendas so we can put others first. The rewards are invaluable. We might not realize all the blessings and benefits these efforts have made in the life of others now, but we will someday.

This past weekend, my husband, Pat, was the commencement speaker for a graduation ceremony. I loved hearing afterwards how many people benefited from his message and I want to share parts of his speech with you. It is possible that this is just what you need to read right now to help shift your perspective on life and get you to that place of thriving and not surviving so you can be there for others.

"Starting Law School – I had three part-time jobs, plus military reserve duty one weekend per month. I worked as a law librarian, law clerk and Friday nights to Saturday morning, at a Winn Dixie grocery store. One Saturday, during the Thanksgiving period, I was asked to stay past my shift to pass out cookies to all the children coming in the store.

I had to wear an apron and “the paper hat.” I felt silly and did not want to be there. As life happens, a young mother and her two children came in the store, to shop and they saw the sign for free cookies. When those two children saw me passing out the cookies, they were very excited.

When I saw those two children and their mother, sadly I was not too excited, in fact, not excited at all. Those children told all the kids around them that the “cookie man” was their father and their mother, with her “loving expression” to me reminded me that I had a job to do, to do it to the best of my ability and to enjoy the “Now Here” moment. I learned that day to find the “now here” moment, even when you think you are “nowhere” with no chance to see the end in sight.

Well, somehow I finished my last 10 hrs. of law classes, while studying for the Texas Bar Exam, accepting an offer from the Air Force Judge Advocate Program and passing the 1989 Texas Bar Exam. What was once “nowhere, became “now here.” I went on the finish my Air Force career, retiring in 2002, started my next career as a Government Contractor, then later to Federal Service.

So what is the difference between No Where and Now Here - it is only the position of the “W.” Yet, here you are about to graduate, it was all worth it, the long nights, the long weekends, for you to be “Now Here” sitting with your cap and gown. That Letter W represents the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and Will, that brought you to “Now here.”

1. The Who is who you have to thank for all their sacrifice to give you the time to do your work – they know who they are, do you recognize the sacrifices they gave for you?

2. The What is what you are going to do with this degree or certificate once you walk across the stage.

3. The Where is where you will apply the gained skills, degree, etc. – in the workplace, in the community.

4. The When is when you will begin your new journey, after today.

5. The Why is why did you start AND finish this journey, to get a promotion at work, a new career change, make your family proud, etc.

6. The Will is the will you have to not let your next desire or dream to have you feel you are “nowhere,” but to now have the feeling of “I am Now Here,” let’s see how far I can go."

We all have an opportunity to encourage others just like my husband did this past weekend to all the graduates. We can all help create a fresh perspective in the hearts and minds of others who might be feeling they are going “No Where” to realizing that they are “Now Here” and each day is filled with possibilities.

Maybe you are that person who feels like you are going “No Where.” I want to encourage you to your trust in God. Lean NOT to your understanding. In everything you do, put God FIRST, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (See Proverbs 3:5-6)

You see, you have God wanting to bring that hope to you so you can in turn bring it to others. He uses you and me to make that dream come alive in the hearts of others. Rather it is by being a parent, sibling, co-worker, neighbor or stranger, we can choose to let His love shine through us to others. Blessings, Cindy

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