“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4

This is one of my most favorite all time poems by Ralph Waldo Emmerson.  I remember discovering this poem when I was 20 years old and it has stayed with me all of these years later. 

 “What is success?

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”

My friends, I am really curious…what are your successes?  This list completely reminds me of the life of Jesus, but sometimes when I compare myself to him I feel like I cannot live up to his standards.  But when I see Emerson’s list, I find that this is much more do-able and that I am more successful than I have realized and actually leaning into the life examples of Jesus. I would love to hear from you. Where do you find success?