Friday, November 2, 2007

How am I seen?

I enjoy people watching. I find it fascinating just to sit back and watch people pass by, observe how they are dressed, how they deal with there children, and listen to the conversations you overhear as they are talking on there cell phones. I sometimes begin to form opinions about what there life may be like and what kind of person they are. I think at times I may even judge them based on what I see. This leads me to think that maybe other people do the same thing with me and the way I portray myself. I often wonder what do people see when they look at me? How do they view me?

I would like to think that every ones opinion and first impression of me would be a good one, however I am not so sure that is always the case. I remember one time Sean and I were driving home from the coast and Sean was falling asleep and we stopped at this Restaurant/Bar. The restaurant part wasn't open so I went into the bar to see if I could get Sean a drink. (Pepsi) Anyway I walk into the bar and ask if the restaurant part is open, and the lady says to me "Why do you have a bunch of little kids that are hungry, and need to get something to eat?" Now mind you, I did have a few little kids at the time, however they were not hungry, and they did not go into the bar with me. I then wondered what about me would make her think I was a mom with a bunch of kids? Did I look like a lady who had a bunch of kids? Kids that were hungry nonetheless? Maybe I took here comment a little too offensive. I guess it could have been worse, she could have thought I was there for a beer...right?

Sometimes it would be nice to get into the mind of another human being and see how they view you. I of course would like to pick a human being who had a high opinion of me. He He He. But maybe even seeing myself through a person who did not would help me to see my flaws. I would like to know what flaws they see and how to improve on those things. I have been pondering on outward appearance as well as inward. How does the world see me? Do I appear to be Godly? Do I look like a person who has good morals, who knows how to instruct her children? How do the brethren see me? Do they view me as the Sister who wants to live the faith, and does a good job at it? But most importantly how does God see me? I want to be pleasing to the Lord, and to be aware of my appearance before him. I want him to see me as pleasing and good to look upon. I want his impression of me to be a good and lasting one. As much as I hope my appearance to the world and the brethren is a good one, I find that my appearance to the Lord is the one that matters the most.

8 comments:

Trina said...

Great post! I have pondered those very things, several times, in my own life. We probably all do. I left a post about wishing I could read peoples minds a while ago, and I was told (quite emphatically) that NO one else really wanted that ability...hahaha It still makes me giggle to think about what an eye opener that was for me. I think its harder to give an unbiased opinion on someone that you already know, cuz..well...you know them. So we will probably never really know how the world percieves us, but you are right, it is what GOD thinks that is the most important!

Mom of 3, Aunt of 16 said...

I remember the first time a met you at the Oregon Campout with all your lovely daughters. I thought you were a person that quietly did what needed to be done and did it well. You appeared quiet and composed. :)

marykathryn said...

It is what God thinks that is important, but I know we are human and so it is only natural to want people to like you..That is why I always feel like I ramble on and on when I meet someone because I want them to like me...LOL

meNmykids said...

Wellllll. Do you really want to know? You look like a mother, a quiet, morally strong, mother with a great sense of humor. The reason you do is that your eyes twinkle when you look at kids, you are comfortable carrying a diaper in your purse, and you have a subdued a godly language. As a friend and sister I could go on and on. I fear sometimes that I don't come off as I thought that I did. I'm with Mary, sometimes I'm talking and I can't shut up, usually when I'm nervous around someone I don't know well. You really made me think today...Hope I can portray what I want.

Tish said...

This is a good thought. I've wondered the same thing myself. I know sometimes I feel like I'm doing pretty good, and then I feel like God shows me what he really sees. Yikes!

I think it's good to think like this because then we try harder to be what we should be. You never know when someone who's truly seeking the truth might see something in us that they desire for themselves.

Sis. Connie M. said...

I am really glad you brought that up! I often wonder about things like that. I want to portray a godly image, but I never feel like I am quite together enough to pull it off.
I look at people who seem to have it all together and everything in place and wonder if they feel chaos inside too, or if I really look as scattered as I feel. ;)
This, living by the seat of my pants thing has it's drawbacks that is for sure!

Mrs.Martin said...

I am glad I don't hear others opinions of me. I think that is a blessing. LOL

I want someone to be as perky, as I am... to them, so I want them to match my perki-ness! I am stealing that comment, from a friend of mine this week. We both laughed and laughed about that, when we had lunch together. Others, may think being perky is over the top, so what really matters, is to treat others, as I would have them treat me. So perky is what you get, since that is what I want from others. LOL Cracking up.

Barbara Reed said...

I was just reading your commrnts and read the quiet part and had a little private giggle. I can remember when there were entirely to many LOUD children on the house that you weren't so quiet. Haha Then I read the part about carrying a diaper in your purse and laughed some more, I've seen you do that. But mostly your post made me think and I enjoyed the thoughts that came. I am mostly portrayed so differently than I wish to be, but most people are looking at me from the skin in, I am very thankful tonight that god looks at me from the heart out. Cause I have a way of saying things all wrong and not being able to tell people how I really feel unless I'm mad, you know it's true ha ha. Give all the kids a hug for me, and if I haven't told you lately thank you for talking me into this blog thing it's so healing, and a comfort to know people care.