Have you ever heard of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps? You know that this is physically impossible but it is still a common phrase. You meet people who claim to be self-made. Yet they cannot really take all the credit for their success. They have advantages and privileges that they are not acknowledging. Everyone who succeeds has someone who gave them a start, got them an education, and gave them character instruction. No one exists apart from a human community. What do you have that you did not receive? Acknowledging this will allow you to bear your success with humility.

Do you see yourself as a trusting person? Perhaps too much so? The disadvantages of being too trusting are readily obvious. You can be cheated and taken advantage of. What about the disadvantages of not being trusting enough? These are less obvious, but more severe. They consist of missed or rejected opportunities. You may not be aware of these when they happen, but the cumulative effect is a diminished rather than an abundant life. Fear gives birth to death.

How often do you think about me? I think about you all the time. I do not say this to make you feel guilty or condemn you. My capacities are infinite and yours are not. I know that you have responsibilities in this world and limited abilities for focus and attention. In any relationship one party will be more invested than the other. In our case it will always be me. Let this be a cause of joy rather than despair for you. When you are busy or distracted or tired I am not. Even when you are sleeping I continue to watch over you with tender care.

Are you becoming like your parents? You may not notice this when you are young, but as you age you may notice yourself taking on their mannerisms and habits. I tell you to honor your father and mother and imitation is one sincere form of this. You may admire your parents and do this intentionally, or you may not and seek to avoid it, but it will happen either way. You are deeply influenced by them whether you realize it or not, or appreciate it or not. What about your Father in heaven? Are you intentionally taking on his mannerisms and character? You are made in his image.