When I was about 10 or 11 years old, I accompanied my dad to my grandparent’s new house. They had moved not to long before and needed the inside of the house painted. My dad gave me a paintbrush and roller and put me to work. Since this was my first attempt at painting there were obvious gaps in my work. When my dad saw this he became flush and pointed to the wall and asked me “can’t you see these holidays, son?” (Dad was referring to my “vacation from thorough work.”) I became upset because I wanted to do a good job, especially since it was my grandparent’s house. As my dad left to work on something else my granddad walked over to me and saw that I was visibly upset. He picked me up and took me over to the couch and sat me on his knee. He calmed me, told me it was OK, and not to worry. Unfortunately, what he told me next was forgotten until many years later. It went like this: “Charles, sometimes you have to slow down to speed up.” I wish I could have heard and “gotten it” then.
On this day in 1843 a fellow by the name of Russell Herman Conwell was born. He grew up to become a Baptist minister and President of Temple University and wrote a legendary message called “Acres of Diamonds.” The message centered on identifying the riches and opportunity that lie all around us. Conwell made the point that many people search their entire life for opportunity never realizing that everything they need to succeed is already within their reach if they would see the value in what God has placed in their path. Over the years I have come to realize how true that is and how much we miss by not paying attention to the details of what is right in front of us. In most cases those details are found in the eyes of the people as well as the circumstances surrounding us every single day.
My granddad and Conwell were right. It took me over 20 years slow down enough to see that my fast paced life was robbing me of one opportunity after another. One day the light came on when I realized the greatest triumphs occur when you see something others might miss. That insight provides solutions by reasoning through what others overlook. The same mindset is true when it comes to the people and circumstances God puts in your path. Think about taking an extra 10–15 seconds to look more deeply into the person’s eyes you are communicating with. What do you see if you wait? Then, consciously ponder the circumstances you are faced with to a point of discomfort. What can you change or better yet, what is worth the effort and energy to change?
Some of you kids have and will do this better than others. However, there is always enough time to consider another paradigm of thought if you are simply willing to pause and let God give you more than the circumstances offers. I’m not asking you to dwell on situations, just give them an extra moment or two. Most of life’s revelations come through people and circumstances, but rarely at first glance. Take a deep breath and let them talk to you now. As you pause, close your eyes and see those people and circumstances as the messengers God intended them to be. Now, what are they saying?
Love, Dad