I was having an interesting conversation with my sister yesterday. We were catching up on life and all of a sudden she says “Oh my gosh- you are turning into Dad!” Have you had this conversation with one of your relatives? Replace Dad with Mom, Grandma, etc. I’m sure you have had the experience where you are talking and you hear one of your parents come out of your mouth.
It makes sense. We learn how to talk and interact with the world from our parents. It’s terrifying but true that one day we will be more like them than we know! I have enjoyed watching my nieces, nephews, and friend’s kids learn to navigate the world- they have the mannerisms and the expressions of their parents down pat. It can be incredibly funny or embarrassing depending on the situation.
That conversation with my sister made me think about who I would most like to be like. Yes, I do think that I inherited good traits from both my parents. I would like to think I am a pretty good person. So who would I like to resemble?
I’m sure the answer you are thinking is Jesus. “I want to be more like him” While that is true, that is a very lofty goal. Jesus was perfectly human and perfectly divine. Could I start a little smaller, perhaps with some saints?
I would like some of the faith and spunk of St. Bernadette. She had remarkable visits from Mary and lived the rest of her short life quietly in a convent far from her home. When I read her story, or visit the convent in France, I am reminded that she didn’t try to convince anyone of what she saw or heard, she just believed.
For the skill to observe more closely and craft a good message, St. Thomas Aquinas is my go-to guy. He was an educator and philosopher who sought to reconcile faith with reason. His wisdom helps me reconcile all the parts that don’t make sense sometimes.
For the ability to forgive others, may I be more like Jesus. You know the stories, He taught us to forgive seven times seventy times. That is a lot more than is comfortable because I sometimes hold a grudge. See? I have to start small with the saints and work up to the big guy.
I encourage you to take a look around this week. Who are the people that inspire you to be better? Who would you like to resemble more? Ponder that a bit. They don’t have to be saints- ordinary people are often my best example of the extraordinary.
