I'm not much one for those Which Character of (fill in the blank) Are You? quizzes that are so popular today. I don't mean to suggest that these tests are wildly inaccurate but I once took a Which Kuiper Family Member Are You? quiz and found out I was my brother.
I am of the opinion that most times, when we engage in such hypotheticals, it is not that we desire to be found like a certain character. Rather, it is with the hope that we are not like a particular personality.
That is certainly true when taking the Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You? quiz. It's not so much that we want to be seen as having the joyfulness and confidence of Tigger, the cheerfulness and wisdom of Christopher Robin, or the thoughtfulness and friendliness of Winnie the Pooh. We just pray that we are not to be found most like Eeyore.
Eeyore is known for his gloom and doom temperament. He is passive and pessimistic. He has a despairing disposition that tends to make things much worse than they are. Eeyore is not the type to take risks. He doesn't set aside time to have fun. He often feels unloved and unheard.
I don't want to be like Eeyore. But, truth be known, there are times when the similarities are sobering.
There are days when I inexplicably feel down; when I expect the worst in every situation; when I see my glass, not only as half-empty, but completely dry; when I wonder if anyone understands or even cares. I experience periods of time when Eeyore's melancholy manner fits me to a tee.
But one thing Eeyore has going for him: Eeyore has friends. Friends who, despite his ever-present issues, still welcome him to be a part of their lives. Friends to whom he is so special they wouldn't think of not including him in their adventures. Friends who don't withhold their love, demanding that he first meet their criteria for companionship. Friends who don't force him to pretend to feel something that he doesn't. Friends who are willing to look beyond his faults and accept him as he is.
Whenever my inner Eeyore emerges, I find great comfort in knowing that I have a Friend like that, too. A Friend who enjoys spending time with me. Who loves me even when I'm not very lovable. Who, for some reason, thinks the world of me. He is a Friend I can always feel comfortable around, who allows me to be myself. A Friend whose love isn't contingent on my behaving a certain way. A Friend who knows everything about me and still accepts me with open arms.
The good news is, since I've come to know Jesus more and more, my Eeyore moments are becoming less and less.
I am of the opinion that most times, when we engage in such hypotheticals, it is not that we desire to be found like a certain character. Rather, it is with the hope that we are not like a particular personality.
That is certainly true when taking the Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You? quiz. It's not so much that we want to be seen as having the joyfulness and confidence of Tigger, the cheerfulness and wisdom of Christopher Robin, or the thoughtfulness and friendliness of Winnie the Pooh. We just pray that we are not to be found most like Eeyore.
Eeyore is known for his gloom and doom temperament. He is passive and pessimistic. He has a despairing disposition that tends to make things much worse than they are. Eeyore is not the type to take risks. He doesn't set aside time to have fun. He often feels unloved and unheard.
I don't want to be like Eeyore. But, truth be known, there are times when the similarities are sobering.
There are days when I inexplicably feel down; when I expect the worst in every situation; when I see my glass, not only as half-empty, but completely dry; when I wonder if anyone understands or even cares. I experience periods of time when Eeyore's melancholy manner fits me to a tee.
But one thing Eeyore has going for him: Eeyore has friends. Friends who, despite his ever-present issues, still welcome him to be a part of their lives. Friends to whom he is so special they wouldn't think of not including him in their adventures. Friends who don't withhold their love, demanding that he first meet their criteria for companionship. Friends who don't force him to pretend to feel something that he doesn't. Friends who are willing to look beyond his faults and accept him as he is.
Whenever my inner Eeyore emerges, I find great comfort in knowing that I have a Friend like that, too. A Friend who enjoys spending time with me. Who loves me even when I'm not very lovable. Who, for some reason, thinks the world of me. He is a Friend I can always feel comfortable around, who allows me to be myself. A Friend whose love isn't contingent on my behaving a certain way. A Friend who knows everything about me and still accepts me with open arms.
The good news is, since I've come to know Jesus more and more, my Eeyore moments are becoming less and less.
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