498 What’s Better Than Personal Success?
“I never brought home a report card like this,” I said to Clothgirl sternly. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
I wasn’t kidding, Clothgirl’s report card was all A’s. The only time I got A’s as a kid was when I was talking about school with my Canadian friend Norse. “Ya Norse, you know, I’m taking Math A, Science A, Social Studies A, English A and Band A. What classes are you taking A?”
I was shocked at my excitement over Clothgirl’s grades. I was more giddy and proud of her than if it was me showing an all A’s report card to my parents.
I had a similar experience recently with Clothboy. He’s on his high school cross country team and though as a sophomore he’s not the fastest guy on his team, he’s still pretty darn fast. In fact, he’s already faster than I ever was and is light years faster than I currently am.
Instead of feeling threatened, jealous or old, I was stoked. As he told me about his workouts, how fast they were running and their mile splits I became animated.
Isn’t that something? I always thought that being personally successful was as good as it gets. Now it appears that my children’s success will be infinitely more fulfilling than my own.
Suddenly my future has wide plains fertile with anticipation that I never even knew existed. I have so much more to look forward to than just getting old and not having to explain why I can’t remember anything. I don’t want to put ridiculous and aggravating expectations upon Clothgirl and Clothboy, but the thought of them surpassing me with their accomplishments is thrilling.
After an amazingly successful mission that he had sent several of his followers out on, Jesus became “full of joy through the Holy Spirit.” It seems he couldn’t help but praise God saying, “Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure” (Luke 10:17-21). He was actually more excited than his followers at their success.
Another time Jesus said, “…anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.” Then he added this startling remark, “He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). He was threatened by these future “greater things,” he was elated.
Until Clothgirl and Clothboy started becoming adults, I didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about or why he would be so excited about his followers superseding him. Now I join him.
Still, there is an interesting twist to all this that must not be overlooked. Unless the child, disciple, etc. applies herself fully, she will not surpass her mentor. Thus, a critical component of success still lies in the hands of the mentor. Vision, dedication and determination must be passed on or the legacy ends.
Obviously, Jesus succeeded wildly at this; however, the verdict is still out on Clothman – my children are still teenagers.
Lord, I want to be like you. Help me to leave a legacy through my children that they will surpass me in every way. And may I rejoice like you when their achievements overshadow mine.
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