My father always used to tell me that water seeks its own level.  As I get older I realize how much brilliance is packed into that small statement.  Compassionate people go with compassionate people (and get labeled animal nuts), complaining people go with other complainers (and feed on negativity), artists gravitate to other artists (and swap creative energy), and athletic people find other athletes to play with, even if it’s not the sport in which they excel.  I think the exception to this is mean people.  Mean people always seem to have a silent leader — like a general quietly commanding their troops.  And the wanna-be “in” crowd fall in line like lemmings.  I have a lifetime of experience with the last, mostly based upon our (lack of) economic status.  In the fourth grade I was the only one in the Dallas Girls’ Chorus who could not afford to make the trip to sing for the President in Washington D.C.; the other girls were vicious.  I knew my folks were working hard to even get me to rehearsals and concerts and to pay for my uniform.  So I told them I had a great year but I was ready to leave.  I wasn’t; it broke my heart.  I loved to sing.  But I did not want to put any more pressure on them when I knew there was absolutely no way they could pay for it.  I remember being snubbed every day at the water fountain during our break and the girls talking about their nannies who braided their hair.  And I realized that despite my loneliness and my sadness they were the sad and lonely ones.  I had a mother who loved me and waited to teach school until I was in junior high.  My parents made incredible financial sacrifices for my happiness.  I knew Mama was waiting for us at home in our tiny apartment with an incredible meal on the stove.  I always asked Daddy to pick me up on the side because I was ashamed of our car, for which I was also made fun of.  But I knew I had the love and support of my parents shown to me daily in the time they made for me.  I was closer to them than anyone on the planet.  Sadly, that meanness I always experienced has followed me into adulthood; I’m not sure why.  By that I do not mean I am part of it!  It just still seems to happen to me.  It also happens to my husband.  Aside from my Daddy, I have never known a finer man.  I think Freud would agree I married someone just like my father not necessarily in looks (although they do share incredible handsomeness) but in traits and values.  In 1 Chronicles 16:11 of the Bible it says:

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

I have always loved fortunes in “cookies” and pictured above is the one I received last night.  “Those who seek will find.”  I intend to seek the Lord and His strength and to seek His face continually.  I intend to seek out the compassionate, the artistic, the athletic, and the kind people with whom I can build friendships.  I want the same for my family.  And, if we cannot find anyone else like-minded, God in His graciousness has blessed us with each other.  I have never gone along with the crowd, nor has my husband.  I can tell my daughter will not either.  Water seeks its own level.