Indeed it is a strange world. I found this poem posted in a common area at Fiwagoh. I have read it several times since my arrival home, and find it to be more than a little convicting, very spot on, and humorous all at the same time.
A lot of people are like wheelbarrows- No good unless pushed.
I am sure I am not alone when I say my life is filled with people that could easily fit into one or more of these categories. The wheelbarrow, the trailer, the canoe, the kite, the football, the balloons, the neon light and it is the very few (and often they go by somewhat un-noticed) that stand out like a good watch.
So many in my world are are no good unless they are pushed. (like the wheelbarrow) I spend more of my day than I would like to admit, pushing my people (mostly the dwarfs) to achieve, manage their responsibilities, and get some sort of passion for life!
Oh, how I wish some of mine were still little enough, still small enough that even the "threat of a paddling", was enough to propel them towards good and right behaviors. At least in those years, their eagerness to please, often over wrought their selfish impulses, when there was even a threat to their backsides in play.
I can speak honestly about this point in the poem, and I am sure I am not alone, sometimes I am so full of hot headedness, disgruntled-ness, frustration and anger, that one little pin prick will have me blowing air at anyone, no one, or everyone!
I understand that you may not be in agreement with all my analogies outlined above, but is not that the great thing about the arts (poetry, painting etc) We the consumer take from it what we each need to, leaving the same images to resonate with others, perhaps in a completely different way. It is great that in the world we live in we can all have opinions and they do not have to match up with one another 100%!
What would the world look like if more of us were encouraging wheelbarrows to work to their full capacity? If we load the trailers with tools for success instead of just pulling them to the next thing without explanation? Instead of turning the other way, we confronted poor behaviors in others and were willing to in return accept the criticism of ourselves from others without defensiveness? What if we encouraged dreamers to dream while keeping their feet on the ground and providing resources for their dreams to become reality? What if the crazy bounces in life that caught us off guard could be handled with grace and mercy, recognizing that we are all unique and different and handle what life throws at us differently? What if instead of letting things build up until we are ready to blow, we talk about the things that cause us stress and hurt feelings, so that our balloon was never on the verge of popping. What if we loved and paid attention to those around us who's life seems to be on a dimmer switch, seeking ways to assist them, encourage them and find resources for them, so their dim moments lessen and they had more chances to be more like a fresh neon light. Bright!
If I purposed each day to be aware and react according to the needs of those around me, it would be my hope that I would be more like a good watch and less like a balloon. But even as I type these words, I am in no way desiring that others see me, or my works and efforts on behalf of others, it is my goal that they would see Christ through me. That in my encouragement, and steadfast work, supporting and lifting up those around me that I would be showing to those in the world that have lost their place and feel discouraged, the unconditional love of Christ and the difference that He made in my life and how He can impact their lives.
Even if you do not have a relationship with the Lord consider this, kindness, grace, mercy and unconditional love have never hurt anyone. No one has died being kind, extending grace, and accepting others unconditionally. When we do these things, we stand out, like a good watch. When we are pure in our intentions, seek to serve others before ourselves, we decrease and others increase. In the lives of believers we decrease and Christ increases.