“Assume best intentions” – that’s what a friend of mine reminded us to do, in a management pep talk. He does help us move forward. And if we assume best intentions, we can step aside from mind games that plague us. That’s a crucial part of life, tell mind games: “Game Over.”…

This friend could do those “Ted talks” – those inspiring motivating business and people-saavy videos to ponder… Big rooms thinking I’m going to learn something, and they do, if only to remember what they already knew. Thinking of it, I could give Ted talks too… I could distill life lessons for those who want to verify theirs against others experiences, and yes, as I once sat in a motivational talk and said, “I could do that!”, I could should would actually do that, both as a talker and helper and thinker. Most importantly I know that my source material should be what matters, not just my reaction. 

So, for now I will write when the morning is new and the mouth is quiet, it’s easier for me to LISTEN then.  What am I listening for?  My quieting down first and foremost. This WILL take a while, probably forever… Whom am I listening to? Ah, this is the good best question, as I wonder: am I listening from within for me to help me or others? Am I listening to come up with the answers in life? OR am I listening for the Fountain of Wisdom, the Judge of Justice, the actual Absolute Truth that gives temperance and self-control, AND the Creator of courage.

Yeah, I need to listen for my Lord. As He told prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;” Yes – as Jeremiah was picked by God and then strengthened and empowered, we too can be tools for Him.

In other words, I’m not a Stoic but I have the desire to be the recipient STOKER of the FIRE, set inside of me.

I only have heard piecemeal parts of the philosophy of Stoicism put together, but I have lived long enough to understand it, where that might come from in people’s desires to know self. So, knowing history, I do have desires enough to be in philosophical discussions about people’s philosophical stances, gauging their spiritual stance (or kneeling). It’s good to hear about what others are influenced by, and yet hold tight to that thick shield guarding my own heart. Yup. (God grasp me in Your gentle unbreakable grip).

Here is what I learned from googling: “If we were to describe Stoicism in one sentence, it’d be this: A Stoic believes they don’t control the world around them, only how they respond—and that they must always respond with courage, temperance [self-control], wisdom, and justice.” … OH!!! Now I see the connection and the disconnect too. These are virtuous and fine, but I’m sure they don’t totally or even remotely define my own relationship with the Divine. 

It’s good to educate, and to hold street smarts, yet then it’s even BETTER to not edify self but to appreciate a personal place in a Plan BIGGER than me than us. I am going to choose a choice gifted to me, a desire to know God. If He feeds me wisdom I don’t have to memorize and control my conversations for a world that is worldly, a people who are imperfect, a dialog that debates, or a gain that is gated. None of those. And yet understand others to meet the people where they are.  Jesus, the Truth, the Word, comes to save the people from our brokenness. I’m not going to be stoic if I can be Spiritual. I’m not going to not know my hope helps. It does because God IS. 

I desire me to be me, to be movable (I pray) by “virtue” of the Holy Spirit, to accept in a miracle of my brokenness, that Jesus came to heal. I will pray and because of Christ’s Spirit Who chooses to move in me, yes, because of Him, I will live in HOPE.

JESUS loves us, Hope in his HOPE.  God with us – Immanuel.

Amen 

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Jeremiah learned from God who he was to be: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Jeremiah 1:5-8