Now here's a verse which keeps me from becoming upset with people who just don't understand me or the things I do:
"Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?" ... Proverbs 20:24
Don't you love that verse? I mean, if I, myself, don't understand what God is trying to do or say through me, then why do I expect others to 'get me?' Why do I become frustrated when others question my motives or actions?
Various people who don't know Tom and I well were shocked when we bought this little farm. Some because we'd never before lived in the country (so they questioned whether we'd like it) and others because God has certainly not called them to do such a drastic thing--so they can't understand why anyone would. Why would anyone, they ask, take on so much work when we could be out 'winning souls?'
Probably we all know people who only view the world through their own tiny slant of light. If they've not done a thing, thought a thing, believed a thing then, well, that thing is a distraction and a waste of time for anyone. And just plain wrong.
Argh.
Yet just when that short-sighted, small-mindedness threatens to frustrate me, along comes that soothing verse above. If half the time I don't even understand how God is using me to share Him with this world, why would I expect anyone else to understand what I do? Why do I expect others to comprehend the purpose of our Healing Acres when I've not even grasped the full scope yet?
And isn't it freeing to allow people the space to misunderstand us? Or the time to someday understand? I think it is, anyway... It's freeing to just allow others to do and be who they are. And hopefully--after sowing those seeds of patience and acceptance--I'll reap those good fruits, myself. In time, in the appropriate season.
Don't even waste time paying attention to what others say. All you need to do is follow the Lord and your Husband (and hopefully the two of them are on the same page) and do what's put in front of you to do. Others won't understand but who cares. As long as you are moving forward in obedience, that is what counts.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Friday - we actually have some sun down here in Pennsylvania. YAY!
"It's freeing to just allow others to do and be who they are."
ReplyDeleteBravo!
This is especially true with family, including husbands.
Incorporating this principle into my life (somehow God did this for me) has been VERY FREEING.
Just keep on following Grace, Debra! We don't have to judge others, in fact we are not supposed to. They should not be judging you. You are doing what you know you were led to do, even when you don't understand all the reason for it. I think that one of the blessings of being older (and I'm much older than you are) is not really caring what others think about what I do. I care about what I think about it.
ReplyDeleteSo true :)
ReplyDeleteRight On Debra! We think a lot a like. This post spoke to me. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Debra that people have actually said unkind things about yours and Tom's choices -- especially your dream of living in the country!! It's a great thing to finally realize your dream - you just forget what "they" say and enjoy it, every single day! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Everyone! I really, really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteOh and MizSuzee--to be fair, no one has said anything disparaging out loud about our dream. But rather, there's been confusion from a few about some choices we are making here. It's complicated, but I'm learning to try to explain why we're doing what we're doing--and then just let it go. :)
Thanks again, All...... Debra
It took me until the age of 50 to realize that some people don't seem to WANT to understand deeper things. They are content to follow a leader and call it 'unity'.
ReplyDeletePeople are weird. Except of course, for you and me.
And, sometimes I wonder about you, Debra, moving waaay out into the country like that.
;D
LOVE this post! LOVE IT.
And you, too.
Hi Debra,
ReplyDeleteThere really are so many poor souls who enjoy living in a world where all is "made out of ticky tacky and they all look the same." My apoligies to the author of the song! As a pastor I always has some who had their own ideas as to what I should have - or have not - chosen for sermon material. Your writings continue to inspire my thought processes.