There is a lot to be said about a winner. They are a unique breed. They possess qualities that set them apart from the pack. Not everyone is a winner.
I have just spent a week with a collective group of winners-in-the-making. As I observed their character and began to take notes on what makes a winner, I realized I was in the company of some very special people.
A winner:
· Is not afraid of losing
· Does not waste time
· Says, “ I’m good, but not as good as I could be”
· Notes when people are doing things right
· Encourages habitually, celebrating others
· Sees opportunities; not problems with a complaining attitude
· Feels responsible for more than his/her job
· Easily admits when wrong…no excuses or rationalizations
· Is one who listens, doesn’t interrupt
· Works harder
· Learns from others
· Loves harmony over demanding his own way
· Wants to make it better for everyone
· Has no need to control, leads with eye on the need of the others
· Serves others first
· Expects success, not failure
· Does what is right because there is no other option
· Shows no favoritism
· Is not interested in exclusivity; It’s one for all and all for one
If we were handing out Golden Globes, Academy Awards or Medals of Honor, these qualities would reveal the true candidates! There was not an absence of conflict during our vacation at the lake, but there was a definite determination to resolve it quickly and restore the harmony! There is a spiritual road map that leads to mature hearts that have jumped outside the “me, myself and I” philosophy and embraced God’s plan for success.
Let me introduce you to these outstanding young people.
Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main thing influencing others…
It is the only thing!”
As moms, we want winners. We pray for dedicated young people that will count for the cross of Christ. We labor toward their success. We cannot, at any point, underestimate the power of our influence, be it good or bad.
When I think back to the many positive influences in my early life, I recognize that one of the greatest gifts I received was the way my family approached learning about God and the importance of His character becoming our character. Doing right was not an option…it was an imperative and God’s Word was the standard. In a world where a godly “road map” is nearly non-existent, our responsibility to build a pragmatic faith in our children and grandchildren is daunting!
Catherine
My eighteen-year-old granddaughter told me recently that her teachers at school had asked her why she was so grounded and had such firm personal convictions. She answered that her foundation in Christian values and the open door of communication with her family regarding the Word and Godly principles of life had formed her “road map” and given her security in her faith and an “eternal value” focus on life! She’s a winner!
Where’s your “road map” taking you?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
