What IMPRESSES You tells God Alot about YOU...and You About Yourself

I had an interesting experience, almost sad , as when I heard these words come out of a young teenager's mouth one evening...it made me realize what we are impressed by , reflects who we are, and where we are heading.
We were having a nice dinner out last week , and there were about 10 people there, and across from  me was a fun young teenager. His dad was two people down from me, and my husband was near him. The young teen was explaining, sort of out of the blue...but obviously it was top-of-the-mind-awareness...of how rich all his friends were. Stinking rich. Millions of dollars rich. He then went into great detail, what they had, how much money their dads made...on and on and ON.
I sat and mildly smiled at him, then looked up into my husband's eyes...and we spoke to each other , without words...about how far-off this young teen's values are. While the young teen was talking, his father was smiling and nodding in agreement...as money is apparently a big subject to them both, the whole family discusses it alot, and always has. They are very well -off , and money IMPRESSES them. Greatly.
I then interrupt the litany of riches he is going on and on about, and say,
" You mean rich in MATERIAL things, right ?" He looks at me like he has zero idea what I was saying.
Then I say, " Riches are not always material things, the richest...", and then I was interrupted by the young teen by him saying, " Oh, but they are so rich. "
My concept was foreign to him, he did not have a clue, not a clue what I was insinuating. 
My husband smiled at me with his eyes, and I looked over an the young teen's father, to see if he ' GOT' what I was saying. It actually looked like he vaguely understood...but what impressed him...impressed his son. 
So he gave me a slight annoyed look, and kept smiling at his son. 
Money is not the problem here, the LOVE of money is. 

 " For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." I Timothy 6 :10

I recalled that conversation while I was out walking early this morning . Walking for miles ,breathing deeply, watching the new sunlight dapple on the trees , hearing the birds sing to me.
I considered what impresses me. Kindness would surpass all, then someone who is peaceful...as that is a quality that has eluded me most of my life. Then in no apparent order, someone who is very good at what they do...be it a waitress or a managing director of a large company. Seeing someone who is physically fit, not buff to the max...not perfection in physique...that's a bit boring, to me. But someone who takes care of the ONLY body God will ever give you on the earth. And the older I get, that is even more important. Younger people always take their bodies for granted, I know I did....I used to push myself way too hard physically. Trying to be more gentle with myself these days.
 I also like to see a person dressed nicely. Not Sex and The City 2 ( GARBAGE values ) nicely, but just nice ...you know when they are at church or going out to dinner. Not all the time .
Someone who is an excellent artist impresses me , as I value art very much.
Intelligence has always impressed me, but not as much as it used to...as I have run into too many amazingly smart people who are condescending and arrogant, and who dismiss God as they have no evidence ( they think ),  to believe in Him.

I could go on and on, someone who is a great cook, someone who is very neat and tidy...that impresses me as I am behind in those areas.

I am challenging you to stop and think...what REALLY impresses you ? A job title ? Money ? a beautiful woman or handsome man ? A luxury automobile ? Expensive jewelry ? A big expensive home ?
What do you talk about at home, with the kids around even...what do you tell your spouse, what news seems to get you the most animated ? See if it revolves around money , the media , material possessions, romance, gossip ...whatever.
Listen to yourself.
God wants us to be impressed by the eternal things He has given us. Love, hope, peace, the beauty of nature and especially Himself and his Son , Jesus . More things too , but I know you get my direction.
If you stop and examine yourself, as God tells us to do...DAILY, we can see where we are heading...what direction, and I am not talking about Heaven or Hell...though that may be an eventual destination.  I am referring to what you teach those around you, and what impresses you...does it bring you closer to God ? Or does it push you further away ?
Final question is ask yourself:
"Would____ ( fill in the blank ) impress God ?"

That is something I will do more myself.


Bless you and yours today,
Gina


 " Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test ? " (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)