1 Corinthians 13King James Version (KJV)
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Whom am I? Often in our American society we define people by what they do for a living. When we first meet someone we say, "Hi, my name is Melinda, it's very nice to meet you. So, what do you do?". When that question is answered, often times, an array of stereotypes, generalizations and assumptions are made. So, if the person says, "Hi, my name is Bob and I'm a HS science teacher", depending on your own experiences with public education teachers, you are going to make assumptions about this man, even though you don't know him.
In the bible, it talks about the importance of character, especially in a Christian's life; someone who has a walking daily relationship with Christ. It says we are to be loving, kind, giving, compassionate, empathetic, humble, self-less, slow to anger, pure of thought, hopeful and patient. On my own, I cannot be any of these things, but it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit working in me. According to the bible, what matters most about a person and what SHOULD define them is their own, individual, personal character NOT they occupation.
With that said, there is nothing wrong with asking someone what they do for a living, but go one step further and ask them WHY they chose that career path! You can learn so much more about a person by truly getting to know them rather than just making assumptions about their personality and character based on their career choice an appearance.
Employment was designed to provide ways to support your families basic needs of clothing, shelter and food. It was not designed to be WHO you are. Now, there is nothing wrong with having a career (something that you enjoy doing that still provides necessities for living), but it's very dangerous as a Christian to allow your career to define who you are. I know this from personal experience. Putting your career first in your life only leads to destruction of all the wonderful things God has in store for you, your family and your walk with Him.
Therefore, when you meet someone and you learn what their career or job is, please ask them why and don't forget to remember that they are a person with many more important traits than just their occupation.
For those who do not know me or are afraid to get to know me, moving past my "career", let me introduce myself:
Hi! My name is Melinda Mae (Lamping) Norton. I'm blessed to be married to my wonderful husband, Joshua, for almost 14 years and God has blessed us with two children, Jonah (9) and Annalisa (2). Although, we live in a large two story home, we live very humbly.We are firm believers in living within our means and staying away from the trap of enslavement (credit cards).
I am a strong believer in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus was God and man and came to Earth to save us from our sins, because we cannot save ourselves. I believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that God created the heavens and the Earth in a literal 6 days with the seventh day for rest. In honor of what Christ did for me on the cross, it is my honor to daily walk with Him, allowing His Spirit to lead me each and every day in doing His will. I believe that God does miracles, I believe He cares about my every thought and need. I believe that He placed me here in this moment, in this time, for a reason and I can either choose to listen to His leading or deny Him.
I am a Christian. I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a daughter. I am also an educator. I am a counselor. I believe that God has given me a gift to care and love on others. To see past the sins of others and, most of the time, see people through His eyes. I chose school counseling as a career, because I wanted to help others make it through the middle school years. I have always desired to help others reach the potential that I see in them. I believe that this "potential" is not career or financial success, but living the life that God has for them. I desire to have others see themselves as God sees them. Each person is beautiful to my Savior. Each person is loved by my Savior. He does not want one of us to suffer damnation, but wants each of us to live lives full of joy, peace, love and hope. This does not mean, however, that life is perfect as a follower of Jesus Christ, but there is a hope and joy that comes with knowing Him that is incomprehensible to those who do not accept Him as their Savior, but also incomprehensible to believers who cannot accept His pure UNCONDITIONAL love for them! There are hurting people out there and I believe God has gifted me with the ability to help those who are hurting.
Yes, I teach Psychology, and some would say that this is a conflict of interest since it's a science and Christian's and science can't mix. I completely and wholeheartedly disagree! In fact, I believe science only PROVES that God exists! Research is not fact, thus, it's a guessing game of trying to figure out God's creation. Just when science THINKS it knows the answer, someone else finds a different answer. I teach developmental psychology, life from conception to death. I teach the miracle of LIFE! I teach the complexities of human behavior. I teach about death an it's inevitability.
Work is a way to make ends meet for my family, but I believe God can use if for more than that and I'm MUCH MORE than my job. God has also gifted me with the ability to encourage others. He has given me talents that I use to glorify Him and bring joy to others through music and singing. He has given me a passion for the young and desire to serve Him. He has given me a heart of compassion that sometimes looks like judgement, but in truth my heart is breaking for others, because they choose to live a life of bitterness, entitlement, judgement, resentment, pride, and emptiness instead of living lives with the certainty of CHRIST's unconditional love that opens the door to see others through God's eyes!
THIS is who I am. So, before you put this "Psychology Instructor" in a bubble as an "analyzer and character judge", and nothing more, please get to know me. Yes, I do analyze, but mostly myself. I do judge, but myself very harshly at times, but am reminded of the love my Savior has for me. I just want to help others. I want others to KNOW the love of my Savior. I want to be used to glorify my King and Savior.
Sincerely and with all my heart,
Melinda M. Norton- A child of God
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