NOW AND LATER / NOW OR Later?
Now AND Later; Now OR Later?
It’s been years since I had “Now and Later” candy; and as I recall, I was not that impressed then. But my candy preference is not the point. The point is the name – Now and Later. This week I realized that my wife and I look at life differently in a “now” and “later” kind of way. In fact, this may be a new personality assessment to discover whether you are a “now” person or a “later” person. Maybe we could start a website….jk!
For most of the time, I am a “Now”. I like to do things on the spur of the moment. Let’s go for a drive….when? Now. Let’s eat out. When? Now! Let’s get this project done. When? Now! Let’s call the kids. When? Now. My philosophy of life is “if you wait, the opportunity may be gone”.
You guessed it. Carol, my wife, is a “later” person. She is more deliberate and likes to plan it out before engaging. I might say, “Let’s call the kids/grandkids. Want to call them now?”. Carol says, “No let’s wait until tomorrow when the the grandkids won’t be napping, or when we know our kids(adult kids) are both home from work.” Or I might say, “Hey, want to go for a drive in the country.” She would usually respond, “Well, what if we waited until it warms up a bit or stops raining.” Her philosophy leads her to think before she acts. Sometimes it seems really slow….to me.
This is not complicated. Right? Noticing these differences brought me to understand more clearly what it means to accept another person. The Top Ten Intimacy Needs – we are featuring in our attempt to give you and your friends, spouse, and family clear ways to develop deeper, more love-focused relationships – include ACCEPTANCE in the list. Acceptance can be thought of as “positive favorable response to another person despite differences and even if the other person’s behavior is less than desirable”. Acceptance is not ignoring differences or wrong behavior. It is not turning a blind eye to wrong things or people. It is communicating care and love for the person – regardless.
Think of the way Jesus accepted others when they were unacceptable to segments of their society. Think of how He accepts you and me remembering “While we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:8) Friend, that means He didn’t wait until you and I cleaned up our act and got “straightened out”. We came by faith to understand and accept the forgiveness He offered because of His acceptance of us, not because we deserved it. Ephesians 4:31-32
How about you? Are you accepting of others in the way Jesus accepts you? His love moved Him to have a positive, loving response to us even though our behavior is not always appropriate, and we certainly are “different” from Him. But He loves us still. Accepts us still. Enjoys being with us whenever we give Him an opening. He waits and draws us back whenever we are being inappropriate. His loving acceptance reminds us of how much He cares. Our acceptance of others is founded on how loved we are, how deeply we know it, and how much Jesus’ love controls us. What do you say? 2 Corinthians 5:14 – 15
Are you a “now” or a “later”? Whatever you are (most of the time) may make it difficult to understand the other style. Carol’s “later” style complements my “now” preference. She has kept me out of trouble by teaching me to think more. I have made her life more flexible as she bends at times to my “now” style. Can you see how acceptance of others makes life and relationships more real and much deeper, rather than standing on the other side of the road judging others as less important?
This Valentine’s Day would you protect the heart of your friends/family by making sure they know their value to you regardless of the differences between you or even after they may have previously let you down? Happy Valentine’s Day to you from the God Who loves you so much He accepts you as you are, then promises to be with you and love you all the way to heaven and beyond.