Making My Father Happy

In case you didn't know this about me, I'm a Pleaser with a capitol "P". I like to make people happy. Now, I don't mean in the sense of a lamb who just follows along, bleating as it goes. I mean it more like an employee who looks to his employer for guidance and then busts his rear to do his best in that job. I always(almost always, anyway- there were those bad teen moments, of course)wanted to please my parents and never wanted to break the rules. I put my best into sewing, music, college, playing, teaching, etc. The worst thing that could happen for me was to see one of my parents or teachers disappointed in me.

I can only think of one serious situation in my life when someone in authority over me told me that I had been a disappointment, and boy, did that mess with my mind. As a pleaser and someone with a driven personality and a big work ethic, those were devastating words. They washed over me and left me questioning everything I had done. I had to work through that, though, and realize that inspite of my work ethic and driven personality, I'm not always going to be able to please people. I'm not saying there weren't lessons to be learned in that situation, but that's for a different day. What I AM saying, is that this life is NOT about pleasing men. It's about pleasing my Father- the One who's done everything for me and deserves everything in return. He knows when I'm giving my all in each situation- and that my all may differ from day to day.

"Lord, may the words of man not effect me if I know I'm truly doing my best for You. Help me to grow in being a Papa-pleaser and not a People-pleaser." Amen