Tough Assignments

 Year 8-Day 234: Today, I am grateful for tough assignments.

When life hands us tough assignments, it is hard to be grateful. I am a firm believer that we need them. It doesn't mean I like them, but I know they stretch and grow us. 

There are times a tough assignment is as joy evoking as it is challenging. Perhaps Fred Roger nailed it on this one:

"Try your best to make goodness attractive. That's one of the toughest assignments you'll ever be given." -Fred Rogers

Tough assignments groom us. We learn to manage hard things. Some of the hard things help shape us into resilient, dependable, capable people. Life lessons learned in the struggles of life are lessons remembered. In choosing goodness with a joyful heart, we increase the appeal. 

Doing what is kind... what is good... and what is right in the eyes of God seems counter-intuitive to human nature. We want what we want. My friend, Robin, reminded me today, there is a soul hole that only God can fill. Nothing outside of a relationship with Him fills that emptiness inside. It is why so many have riches and fame, but find themselves lonely, depressed, anxious and lost. His peace satisfies like nothing else. It fills us in a way that allows us to love others better, because He is the source. 

Jesus always chose kindness and goodness. Always. 

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." -Ephesians 4:32

Christ's tenderness toward those around him was recorded again and again. His compassion toward the woman about to be stoned for adultery is one of may favorite captures in the scriptures. Was He writing words that told those with stones in their hands that he knew each of their darkest, secret sins? All we know is that they all put their stones down and walked away when Jesus said, "He who is without sin cast the first stone." 

"Make goodness attractive." It is a tough assignment, but worth the effort. 

Today, I am grateful for tough assignments.