I grew up trying to please everyone around me, when it didn’t happen I always thought there had to be something wrong with me. If I could take back all the extra things I would do for anyone who asked I would do it, but that isn’t possible. The only way I can make it count is to tell you to 1. Make sure you are right in the eyes of God, then 2. Please yourself first. When you are on a flight the attendant will tell you that in case of an emergency to put the oxygen mask that comes down on yourself first and then your child, why is that? Because if you don’t take care of yourself and you become incapacitated then you and your child are both in danger, that makes sense doesn’t it?
I realized a long time ago that I couldn’t be perfect and everyone was not going to like me.
After all we know that Jesus actually was perfect and yet a lot of people were displeased with Him, so displeased that they actually hung Him on a cross to die! He was so perfect that as He was dying He asked His Father to forgive those people because they didn’t know what they were doing, or to whom they were doing it.
No doubt, no matter how hard I have tried, I haven’t gotten that far as yet, I still get fierce feelings about people that I know are being conniving, or who manipulate people while getting by like a rat in a cheese factory, but that is my cross to bear, right?
Is there a solution to the matter?
I think first thing is to forgive yourself for not being the perfect Ken or Barbie doll you wish you were, forgive yourself for not having the diplomacy of Dale Carnegie, or the smarts and wisdom of Solomon or Dr. Phil, for not being the perfect mate like Ward and June Cleaver or the perfect dad like Father Knows Best…
you are a simple human but so is everyone else.
The most perfectly beautiful woman that I ever knew and when I say perfect I mean from the top of her shining blond hair to her perfectly manicured Mani and Pedi, one whom I am pretty sure wore underwear that matched her outfit, was having lunch with me, as I was admiring her perfectly made up eyes and mouth she smiled a big smile and there hung up in her perfect white teeth was a big piece of green spinach and guess what, I didn’t even tell her! Somehow it made her more like me and I enjoyed my own lunch without worrying that I would say or do something that would prove my unworthiness to be in the company of such beauty! I am laughing as I write this and of course you know my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek!
Now let’s all say this together, Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so, little ones (and imperfect, guilty, untruthful people such as myself) to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
I get a fresh start every day because His mercies are new every morning and I am cleansed by the blood that He shed to give me eternal life!
Harolene.com 