"Goal Oriented or People Oriented?"

By Vickie G. Paver

So many times we get caught up in our "to do" lists and our focus is so motivated towards goals and tasks that we often forget about people. Nowadays, between both parents working, children's extracurricular activities, and taking care of immediate family needs, it seems there is no time left for family or extended family relationships. At times, we are so driven that we have to schedule our kids, husbands and wives, moms and dads, into the "time slots" that are left. This doesn't take into consideration time for friends, acquaintances or people we bump into on a daily basis. So, how do we change? I don't have any pat answers and I'm sure the answers are as varied as people themselves.

It is hard to change---and this is coming from the lips of a "goal oriented" person! By the grace of God I am learning to focus more on people as I age. Hey! Maybe it is for that very reason----aging and knowing I would like people not to forget about me. Well, I'm not an old lady, yet, but I know some day I may be a senior and hopefully someone will take pity on me.

I guess this aging thing has motivated me to permit God to help me set aside my "lists, goals and tasks," long enough to reach out and touch someone. Sometimes, God brings people into our lives in a way we don't expect.

Last week I started out one of my days with a particular goal in mind, interviewing shut-ins, who are members of our church. I was after pictures and a human-interest story for our church paper. It isn't that I didn't care about or love these people---I do very much! I knew I wanted to be an encouragement, but I still had that goal in mind! As I took pictures and talked to each one I realized how precious each person is and how much they have given to others throughout their lives. I came away remembering that many of them had influenced me in a positive way while I was growing up and many had prayed for me for years. Now that is humbling. Believe me. It sure puts things into perspective.

Two of the ladies are in a lot of pain from debilitating arthritis, yet they were cheerful and full love for the Lord and others. They gave me big hugs before I left---you know the kind of hugs you get from your grandmother. Looking back at the visit, I want to cry for joy because these precious ladies gave so much. I love them and thank God He allowed me the privilege of visiting with them.

Today, I try to focus more on making a difference to everyone who comes into my life. I think of my grandchildren and pray I see them as people and never overlook them because of tasks. God help me to always take the time to read to them, talk with them, and do things with them that they enjoy. Also, I think of my grown children, and hope I take moments to have coffee with them or laugh about some of the good times---or make more good times! I hope that I will look for opportunities to serve others by sending cards or visiting. Then I think of parents, nieces, nephews, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers and all the possibilities for pure joy, and pray that I will always take time for people.

Sometimes I get a little sad when I think about other joys that I might have passed by because I had too much to do. It is hard for us "goal" oriented people to change all at once. I'm learning; sometimes slowly, but learning. I pray as I live each day that God will continue to remind me that people count, not careers, goals, or jobs---it is people.

Praise God for His continued stirrings of the heart.