Dear Friends,
As a public speaker, I use to worry about how people received my presentations. One tool I use to use was a feedback form where participants are encourage to provide feedback on my performance. It didn't take long to realize that most people only wanted to complain about the temperature of the room; either being too hot or too cold. That's where I came up with the expression "Too Hot, Too Cold" to refer to the noise of feedback - meaning that a lot of what people perceive is beyond our control.
Recently we just completed one of the largest recreation events that we host in St. Albans each year - the Great Race. One hundred and sixty-two teams and over 350 participants. When it was all said and done - most people were thrilled with the day. I say most, because their was one person who wrote a letter to the editor complaining about how we handled one difficult decision. 161 happy, 1 complaint.
I bring this up because it is easy to let the opinion of one person dominate our perceived worth in any given situation. All it takes is one person with one cross word to damage our sensitive ego and lead us into believing that things aren't as good as we think.
We are to be reminded that our Lord is full of grace and quick to forgive. He sees us as the true beings that we are and we know that when we have done well, He smiles. When we have messed up, He forgives.
We are to be encouraged by a love so great that whether the room is too hot or too cold, we are still valued in His eyes. He reminds us that through the eyes of humans, we are only human but through His eyes, we are His children. So don't let the complaints of a single individual weigh you down, rather let His love lift you up.
I continue to pray for your health, your strength and your stamina as you take on the tasks of your daily lives.
Blessings,
Dave
