The Application of Life

Summer 94 I had to go on punishment, which meant I had to study during the summer because I got a 3.8 GPA . You probably think what I said out loud. What’s wrong with a 3.8? Well, to the lady in charge of my education, aka the mom. I didn’t apply myself. I mean it was better than average was my defense. Well, to my mom, it didn’t matter; all that mattered was I didn’t give my best ( well according to the teacher’s comments also). I told mom that she shouldn’t compare me and to be happy. Her response was she could never be satisfied with less than my best.

Honestly, life has always been easy for me to be able to skate by on ’my mediocrity,’ which seemed to be better than some people 100%. I thought, why should I have to apply myself when I can achieve more than the average person just on my gifts that God gave me.

Can you see the error of my ways? Yeah, I didn’t until it all came crashing down. No proper study habits lead to being on probation in college. No self-control leads to health conditions, and the list goes on. Lately, the words of my mother sound off in my mind. Am I giving my best? Would my heavenly father be pleased with the way I am using the gifts He has given me? Quite frankly, I don’t think so.

Today, I decided not to compare myself to others or seek approval when I decide to complete a task. I simply commit to doing it to the best of my ability and then ask God to drop his wisdom on it. The process of applying ourselves may not be the most straightforward undertaking but produces the ripest version of ourselves. What are you going to start applying yourself to?