What if I stopped caring about what everyone else thought?
I can’t control someone else’s thoughts anyway so why do I spend time and anxiety on things like that?
What if I lived and moved and wrote and I did NOT seek the approval of anyone else? What if the works of my hands were only products of what I believe is good and true and right?
What if I raised my children to be the best women I know how to raise and I didn’t worry about what everyone else might be thinking? If their laughter was quiet enough in the restaurant and if they didn’t run through the church.
What if I spent a week or two without writing blog posts because I’m tired, because I need a break and because I would rather, this month, spend time with my kids baking or doing something slightly crafty?
And what if I stopped saying “Yes” to everyone and every obligation because I am worried about managing expectations with the people around me?
What if I did only the next, best, right thing and didn’t worry about what the next year or the next decade holds?
What if I allowed a friendship (or two) to die because in all honesty, neither of us have time for each other anyway? What am I scared of?
What if I did was was right and peaceful for my OWN family at Christmas rather than try to keep everyone around me happy? What if I spent my Christmas money on things that are important in the Kingdom rather than on unused, unwanted things that will clutter already full homes?
What if I let go the anger that has been building in me about if people “get” me or not and instead replace it with love and grace? What if I worried more about showering grace on others than if someone who’s hurt me has apologized appropriately?
What if, and I know this is crazy, I loved and moved and wrote for the approval of only One?
How drastically would my life change?
What if you lived and worked and said “yes” (or no) only for the approval of God? Would your life change?
All I can say is WOW! Once again you have blow me away with your words. I was feeling downtrodden and in need of some encouragement. And so naturally, I headed over to your blog. And after reading today’s post, I feel blessed beyond belief. You do not know how often I read your words and wonder if you ever hear my thoughts because your words mimic what I think or what I am going through at the time. It is such an encouragement to read your words and know that I am not alone in my struggles….thank you for sharing. You are such a blessing…you have no idea.
ah, sarah. yes. it would change drastically.
thank you again for powerful words.
Oh thank you Sarah! This is absolutely what I needed to be reminded of in my life.
I echo everyone else this morning!! You have truly touched my heart and my life WOULD change drastically if I said yes or no only for the the approval of God.
Thank you for the reminder!
If there’s only one thing I learned from my sin of infidelity, it is to know my priorities. I think long and hard before saying “yes” from this point on.
Had I put God and my family first, I never would have entered into an affair.
Start saying “no”, Sarah!!
http://comedytragedy-fightingsatan.blogspot.com/
ahhhhh, i read that and think about that kind of life and i can literally breathe better – i am certain that it’s only fear that keeps me from that life…….stupid fear! (said with a stomp of my foot and a shake of my head
)
let’s all breathe better today, kerry. i know i need to. =)
You hit the nail on the head… it is all about The One! We will never be able to do “enough” in human eyes; we will never live up to all the expectations around us! So free yourself from the guilt and learn that sometimes it is okay to say no to others…
Yes.
a quote on my blog today….“All I have to do at every moment and under all circumstances is to say a generous “YES” to Your sweet, loveable will.” Divine Intimacy
So simple…but not easy…but really brings freedom….this is where my heart prayers are turned to these days…
Great post…
blessings as we both grow to say Yes to the ONE that truly matters…
that’s beautiful. thank you roseann!
I think I might print this and hang it up at my desk.
I believe this is true freedom.
thank you heather!!
why do I struggle so much with this?? with all these things?? this was exactly what I needed as I start a new week… thank you for your barebones honesty, Sarah.
Lord let me be more mindful of You than of “them”…
This has been rolling around in my heart lately too. Thanks for writing it down so we all can learn and be challenged to make that happen in our lives.
thank you Mary Beth! =)
Yes, yes, yes!!…
That is pretty drastic, Sarah. That would definitely change my life. I would look like who He had intended me to be, instead of a “rough draft”.
oooh, i love that, carolyn. =)
It’s only been a week since I found myself soaking up your words for the first time.
I can see the Spirit filling me in this place.
i’m so glad you’re here tamika! =) welcome.
Permission to do all of the above.
Love your heart. Thanks for sharing. <3
-N
thank you nikki! =)
It’s nice to know that I am not the only one who feels this way. This helps me alot. Thanks.
Do it!
a.men. there’s so much freedom in this. if we could just really grasp it and allows ourselves to believe it.
i struggle with some of these things but not others. i don’t worry that much about what other people think about me or the way i do things. what i struggle with is trusting God for my future, and feeling like i’m doing what He has created me to do. thinking i heard Him right, and that i’ve responded correctly. “doing only the next, best, right thing” is the hardest for me… sometimes i feel like i’m not enough (or doing enough) for HIM, regardless of what anyone else thinks either way.
Oh Sarah…I am hearing you, SEEing you, and agreeing with you. I too, want it to all be for Him alone, to not care about what others think or whether they “get” me…what freedom that would bring. Even though I only know you from afar, I’m so very thankful for you..and for this sweet reminder today. What beautiful and honest words you have written! May your day be blessed with those you love…
thank you jacque! =)
Oh man. Speaking right to me today.
But…what if I’m too scared…?
…then you are in good company. =)
I have been asking myself many of these questions. In fact, I have a post sitting in drafts about what it would be like to parent without pressures or influences from others.
Thank you for posting this today.
I think I just heard a cry of “Amen!” echo through the blogosphere. Great questions for everyone to think about.
I’ve been talking with God about most of these “what if’s”. That’s amazing! Thank you for writing the words that are on many of our hearts.
I’ll keep seeking Him for the answers and step out in faith to obey…that’s where I’ll find my joy and peace. You helped me see that.
Beautiful, thought provoking what’ifs, Sarah. Thank you for saying what we need to ask and hear and do.
I think I would be less stressed if I really, really did this. Praying I can get there and not care, in a good way.
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Why is it so difficult to live for just Him? Actually, I guess it’s not difficult at all. We make it difficult…or make excuses why it’s so difficult. (sigh). Thanks for sharing your heart with your us. Praying we all have the courage to seek His approval above all.
Mmmm…good thoughts!
I know my life is full, often, of doing things only for the approval of everyone else! Often, it isn’t for God and the things that I sometimes do for people, God probably thinks, maybe I shouldn’t? I mean, those are just thoughts of my own really, but maybe God wants me to say no sometimes and not do certain things! I know He definitely doesn’t want me doing things just for others approval, but simply for His own!
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