Too many of my adult years I spent giving too much weight to the wrong influences. I lived perpetually reacting to things long done and over. I have good news. No matter what you have been through, there is One who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:21)
My exact opposite exists in the form of a friend I know from church. Our personalities operate from opposite ends of the spectrum. My quiet, shy self tends to marvel at her spicy, outspokenness. I am in awe of how incredibly different two people can be.
Not long ago, that friend’s mother moved to town. I do not know her age but notice her deliberateness when moving about. I quickly filed her in my mental files under “little old lady”. Now, you should know that I adore little old ladies. Part of me looks forward to being one someday. I joke about becoming a merciless and spicy old lady. Hopefully, Jesus will return before I get there to spare all my would-be caregivers.
Anyway, my friend’s mother friended me on Facebook. It took no time at all to understand my friend on a deeper level. As the saying goes, that apple did not fall far from the tree. Her sassy, outspokenness reminds me of my friend, her daughter.
Today in church, I sat several rows behind the two of them. The sight caused me to think of my own mother. Many things about me testify to our relationship, both genetically and relationally. I see her every time I look in the mirror. As I type these words, I even recognize her hands attached to the ends of my arms. This apple did not fall far from that tree either.
The pastor shared this morning about a person who influenced him. My mind took off down that trail. However obvious it seems that our mothers heavily influenced whom my friend and I became, we share a greater influence.
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (CSB)
The enemy will try to disqualify us because we are too tall, too short, too shy, etc. He doubles down on his accusations when it comes to where we came from and what we have been through. But Jesus, living in each of us, testifies to a greater influence, one more powerful than any accusation leveled against us. His influence surpasses even those whose genetics show up in our mirrors. For that, I am eternally grateful.