God's Opinion, The Only One That Matters

Hello Friends!

I have been thinking a lot about the opinions of others this morning. It is true, everyone has one and many are not afraid to give you theirs! My whole life I have heard them...

When I weighed 180 pounds as a teenager - you are are a big one, man you really like to eat, maybe you shouldn't have that, your stretch marks are disgusting, you may be fat but you sure are pretty, there's no way you will fit into that... The majority of these opinions coming from family.

When I weighed 120 pounds as a young adult - how skinny are you going to get? You need to eat more, a greasy chicken leg would do you some good, maybe you shouldn't work out so much, you're making me look bad, you just need to have a good healthy meal and get some meat on your bones... Again, family and friends the primary source.

Opinions didn't stop with my body size. I've been told I'm too strict with my kids and not strict enough by others. I've been too spiritual to some and too worldly. I've heard I needed to go to church more and that I needed to lighten up and live a little, more. You need to serve more, good grief do you ever leave that church? Why do you work so much, you really need to be here as much as you can. Your husband has stolen your soul (true story), you just need to love him just the way he is and meet all his desires. It goes on and on...

What I finally learned, was to not accept those opinions (because they're not mine) and certainly not allow them to hurt me - because they used to, really bad. They hurt so bad because they came from family and friends. I expected them to love me differently. I expected words of encouragement and support. I expected acceptance - no matter what. When they didn't, I looked to God, Who did just that.

I'm grateful for God's opinion of me, because His DOES matter. I'm grateful He showed me through the pain, how NOT to be with my children. How NOT to be towards others. I'm grateful He expects me to say things that are encouraging and helpful and loving. I'm also grateful He helps me understand why others haven't in the past, and why others may never.

He has me on a unique journey, one that is my own. I'm sure folks have opinions right now as well - and that's OK. The peace I have from being in God's will for my life, is unlikely to be rattled.