On the Word "Acceptance"

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary (www.m-w.com) defines the word "ACCEPTANCE" in five ways:

1 : an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound
2 : the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable
3 : the act of accepting : the fact of being accepted : APPROVAL
4 a : the act of accepting a time draft or bill of exchange for payment when due according to the specified terms b : an accepted draft or bill of exchange
5 : ACCEPTATION 2

Let's talk about definition numbes two and three. (Actually, I like the phrase "the fact of being accepted" best.)

I like this word acceptance  because to me it connotes all other "good" words as well (love, care, respect, etc. could be said to be bundled up with the word).

There's this Tagalog song called Maging Sino Ka Man (music and lyrics by Rey Valera) that illustrates the meaning of the word. Take a look at the lyrics of the song:

Ang pag-ibig ay sadyang ganyan
Tiwala sa isa't isa'y kailangan
Dati mong pag-ibig wala akong pakialam
Basta't mahal kita kailan pa man
`Wag kang mag-isip ng ano pa man
Mga paliwanag mo'y di na kailangan
At kahit ano pa ang iyong nakaraan
Mamahalin kita maging sino ka man
Mahal kita pagka't mahal kita
Iniisip nila ay hindi mahalaga
Mahal kita maging sino ka man

Mali man ang ikaw ay ibigin ko
Ako'y isang bulag na umiibig sa `yo
At kahit ano pa ang iyong nakaraan
Mamahalin kita maging sino ka man
Mahal kita pagka't mahal kita
Iniisip nila ay hindi mahalaga
Mahal kita maging sino ka man

(If you'd like to listen to the song, just send me an email and I'll send it to you.)

(If you need an English translation . . .  well, I'm too lazy to do that right now. Just trust that the essence of the song is all about 100% genuine, unconditional "acceptance.")

However, as great as that song is to me, I know that human beings simply cannot give 100% unconditional acceptance with 100% consistency. It's disappointing but, that's just the way it is. And the sooner we learn to accept that reality, the better and faster we'll learn to cope.

I believe there is an eternally superior illustration of the word "acceptance." It's found in the song entitled "People Need The Lord."

Take a look at the lyrics of the song:

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street
But the crowd pressed in to see
The Man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head
And He bore with every step
The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,
But He chose to walk that road out of
His love for you and me.
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

Por la Via Dolorosa, triste dia en Jerusalem
Los saldados le abrian paso a Jesus
Mas la gente se acercaba
Para ver al que llevaba aquella cruz

Por la Via Dolorosa, que es la via del dolor
Como oveja vino Cristo, Rey, Senor
Y fue El quien quiso ir por su amor por ti y por mi
Por la Via Dolorosa al Calvario y a morir

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men
Made its way through the heart of Jerusalem.

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

Now, that's what ACCEPTANCE is to M.E.! And His acceptance of M.E. drowns out my need to feel accepted by anyone else.