There are some of life's lessons that seem more significant than others. I would rank the character of a man or woman and the experiences that shape them at the top of the list of things that are of most import. The shaping happens in many different and unique ways. I want to talk about a couple of 'character builders.'
The first one is that characteristic of honesty. Each one of us has experienced the lesson of telling the truth. I still remember one of the first untruths I told. My third grade teacher was Darlene Dudley. She was a young college graduate and I thought that she was very nice. I recall that she asked me a simple question about something and for some reason I didn't tell her the truth. She was no dummy, however. She was methodical about calling my bluff. As all of the other kids left the classroom for afternoon recess, Miss Dudley asked if she could speak with me. My heart began to race wildly because I knew what she wanted to talk about and I wondered why I hadn't just told the truth in the beginning. "Derek, what you said to me doesn't make any sense, are you sure you are telling me the truth?" I thought that my heart was going to come out of my chest. I thought to myself. "Now is the time to tell the truth and take the punishment that is coming because of my dishonesty." I did tell her the truth, the second time. I could see the disappointed look on her face but she gave me a reassuring smile that she was proud of my decision to tell the truth. The character trait we should all desire to have is honesty--the first time.
The second characteristic we should want to have is the ability to accept people for who and how they are. This one is more difficult to master. I have come to realize that when I feel that someone is really weird, the mutual feeling probably exists in the mind of somebody else, about me. I'm trying really hard to not look at the shortcomings of others. I will admit that the natural man in me is hard to overcome. I believe that as I continue to try to master the principle of 'take someone as they are', I will become better for it. I will also learn many wonderful lessons from the different people around me. I have the desire to let people be who they are. That's a good start.
These two things, alone, will allow me to come closer to the man I want to be. I am striving to watch closely those who do this very well. I hope that, one day, I will better master these Christ-like character traits.
