Although today is the first day in over a week that I’m physically feeling better, I’m struggling on the backside to catch up.
My day job has been rather busy for the past few weeks. This is a positive thing since it means they need to keep me around for the time being. However, it’s taken time away from my ability to stay current here. As such, I think that starting this week or next, I will do a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday posting schedule. This will allow me time for study, blog reading and research, and maintain my Friday “Link Love” post. As an added benefit, it will allow for more thoughtful posts.
The past few weeks have been difficult on many fronts. At times I’ve struggled with discouragement sometimes coming from old “ghosts.” This is something that just reared it’s ugly head even tonight.
Have you ever had someone in your life that always seemed to find the negative in everything? First for a disclaimer: the person I’m speaking of is not my wife: thank God. Have you ever known someone that no matter how many dreams you had and shared with them, they would always seem to find a reason why maybe you shouldn’t pursue it? For example: it’s too hard, it takes too long, it’s too far away, it’s too unpleasant, it’s over-crowded, it’s too competitive, there are too many people doing it already, the people you would be dealing with are too troubled, etc. I’m talking about dream-crushers. I’m talking about people who apparently want you to be just average; be just like everyone else; be like them!
I was speaking with this person (“A”) this evening about another member of my family (“B”). (To protect the innocent, I’m speaking in this covert language…please bear with me.) I was explaining to “A” that “B” wants to go to this specialized school to learn how to do this specific job in a fairly exciting industry. Person “A”–in typical fashion–replied:
“The only thing about that industry, isn’t very competitive?”
Was it a harmless question? Or was it rhetorical? If you don’t know “A,” you’d probably just think it was a harmless question due to the person’s ignorance of that industry and it was asked out of curiosity. However, the statement comes out of a worldview. In my experience, it was a statement, not a question to learn.
I then replied:
“Does it matter? Who cares if it’s competitive? If this is what ‘B’ wants to do, then ‘B’ should go for it and not let anyone stop them. If that is what ‘B’ was created to do, then ‘B’ should do it. I don’t care if there are a million people already doing it.”
Just now, Jesus’ words in Matthew come to mind:
But He turned to and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” –Matthew 16:23.
Have you had stumbling blocks in your life? Was it a struggle to get them behind you? Are you still struggling with those old demons still whispering lies to you? Have you recognized that it’s possible that Satan could use those people closest to you to lie to you?
May He Increase!
Well first of all……………you are no “regular” Joe!
Yes I have an “A” in my life. I think her name is “mother-in-law”. Also…..whoever has a “passion” for whatever………should be encouraged to follow that passion! The only way I would feel otherwise, would be if it had something to do with anything contrary to God’s Word.
I think “we” all have negative people around us. As I get to know you better…….I’m sure you will be fine!!!
Ike,
I love your sense of humor. It comes across in your comments. :-)
And I agree with you. One of the things I’ve told my wife in terms of my stepson, is that I want him to be able to live out the dream God has put in his heart. I want him to feel the freedom to do whatever he wants that he will find contentment in doing, with the one caveat: would God approve? Really, does it matter if he wants to be a CEO or a driver of a trash truck? Seriously. If he feels called to do one or the other, what does it matter? I know every parent wants “the best” for their child, but sometimes I think “the best” isn’t viewed through the child’s eyes, it’s viewed through the parents. This is why so many kids grow up and become lawyers because dad was a lawyer. Or they go to medical school because that’s what their parents told them to. Is that really what they wanted? Or is it what the parent wanted?
Proverbs says:
Literally this mean to train up the child “as he is bent,” or “as he is designed.” It’s child-focused, not parent-focused. Why would you force your child into something they weren’t created to be? Why would you crush the dream of a child that was put there by God? I take this subject very seriously, especially now that I’m older. I will fiercely defend the dreams and desires of my boys and do–by God’s will and grace–everything I can humanly do to encourage them to live out the dreams and songs that are in their hearts; put there by God Almighty for His glory!
My wife wanted to be an LPN……….her mom “made” her go to school to be “like her” an RN. She also made her go to the same catholic nursing school. To make a long story short……my wife never finished school and I could say a whole lot more!!! Help me Lord!