God Made You Special
“But everyone else is doing it!”
When was the last time you heard those words? If you have an older child it was probably recently. (If not think back to the times you said it.)
What is the response? Do you suddenly change your mind and say, “well if everyone else is doing it it must be okay.”
Not likely.
How about “You are not everybody else and I am not everybody else’ parent,” or even “if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you go too?”
Regardless of what our children may believe, their parents have benefited from the wisdom of their years (most at least) and they do, if they are paying attention, know what is best for their child. Often times, father (or mother) really does know best.
When was the last time you complained to the Lord that “everyone else is doing it”?
This evening the Lord had to remind me that I am not everyone else, that just because everyone else is doing something does not make it right for me.
Sometimes I forget.
I am not everyone else. God knows me better than anyone and He knows the danger that tagging along might do to my soul.
Our God is the God of infinite wisdom. He knows our truest selves, our deepest desires, our most dangerous temptations. Sometimes He says “no”, even when it is all right for everyone else.
- 1
- But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.
- 2
- When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you. ~Isaiah 43: 1-2
It’s a good thing that even now that we are grown we have our Father-God looking out for us, how much trouble does He save us from, especially when we are listening for His still small voice.
Lord, help me to stay in Your plan instead of running off to play with all the others. Lord, You alone know what is best for me, help me to trust You, even when I feel left out of the fun. Lord, I praise You for Your care of me. Thank you that Your rod and staff keep me safe. Amen
What tempts you to go along with the gang?
Great post, Heather! I think we have a “comfort zone” for a reason and when we are pulled out of it, we really need to search in our hearts if it’s a good thing.
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It is good to remember that God doesn’t call everybody to do everything.
Amen. You know, just a while back someone said in a discussion “The length of our leash depends on our maturity. More mature Christians can get away with way less things than those just born ones. And Moses – he had a REALLY short leash!” And yes, it’s true. God doesn’t handle all things in our lives at once. He gives them time and deals with them when He sees is best. That too is a reason why something is ok for someone else, but not me.
By the way, you’re using exactly the same arguments with your kids as I am. Except instead of the bridge I’m using a well 😀 And I didn’t participate in the blog party either……
Sometimes the “others” sure look like they are having fun, and yes, the temptation to join them is strong. But the times I’ve yeilded to that temptation have only resulted in pain. As a recovering runaway sheep, I’m trying to stick with teh Shepherd, even when the grass in that farway pasture makes me salivate. He knows best.
Sometimes He says “noâ€, even when it is all right for everyone else.
How true this is…. How judgemental people become in this area.
I love this post Heather. And….. I always use the “bridge” line with my kids. You make me smile. Blessings, Lynn
“Sometimes He says “noâ€, even when it is all right for everyone else.”
That’s so true. Sometimes we can’t even really explain why, we just know God has said no.
And the flip side is so important, too. Sometimes when God says no to someone, they think He is saying no to everyone. You’ve got a wise balance here.
thank you, heather 🙂
i needed that reminder today, too 🙂
mmmm
very applicable to what I am walking through.
God help us to hear your still smal voice! amen.
So useful and worth remembering! Thank you.
Hi Heather-
The Lord has convisted me that I should not have my hair higlighted. I know it might sound like the silliest thing. i use to have my hair done all the time. Buy yousee, I have a 4 year old who has crossed eyes. I am constantly telling her that she is beautiful the way God made her. When I wanted to re-highlight my hair, my 6 year old stepped in and said but Mommy your brown hair is beautiful and that is the way God made you. I have wrestled with this because I know it isn’t a BAD thing to do and that others can do something like this and it could even be seen as a positive if they are doing it to enhance their looks for their husband. But for me, God has convicted me to be an example for my little one.
Blessings-
Jennifer
I know this is terrible, but sometimes I get tired of doing what is right when other people just don’t seem to care. Of trying to get my kids to be respectful and to behave when other Christian moms just turn a blind eye and don’t see…or honoring my husband when other wives rant and rave about theirs…
But, like I tell my kids all the time, another person’s bad behavior never justifies your own bad behavior. We answer for ourselves, and it’s a full time job taking care of our own area without worrying about someone else’s.
Thank you for sharing, Heather…
I have to say that I feel sometimes left out at work. But that is by my choice. I was invited to play in the soft-ball league, but I don’t play soft-ball in the first place. And secondly, I do not like to drink…So, in a way it was a no brainer 🙂
Blessings to you and yours.