If You Can't Please 'Em All...

You can't. Post finished. Have a great day! Or you can read on for the long answer...

The Book (from The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy): It's an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet Earth, Man had always assumed that he was the most intelligent species occupying the planet, instead of the *third* most intelligent. The second most intelligent creatures were of course dolphins who, curiously enough, had long known of the impending destruction of the planet earth. They had made many attempts to alert mankind to the danger, but most of their communications were misinterpreted as amusing attempts to punch footballs or whistle for tidbits. So they eventually decided they would leave earth by their own means. The last ever dolphin message was misinterpreted as a surprisingly sophisticated attempt to do a double backward somersault through a hoop while whistling the star-spangled banner, but in fact the message was this: So long and thanks for all the fish.

Now that we've cleared up what the dolphins have been telling us all of this time (makes Flipper take on a whole new meaning, doesn't it?), let's move on. I think we've all been to the place where it seems like, no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to please people. You have the best of intentions and the failure is not from a lack of effort, but no matter what you do somebody just doesn't get what you are trying to say or do. It happens...and especially as the number of people you are trying to please increases! The funny thing is, my first answer was the correct one. You just can't please everyone even some of the time much less all of the time. If you ever find yourself feeling like you are on top of the world, hang on to that feeling because it's sure to change soon.

So what are we to do, those of us who like to be a blessing to others? If you've read my writing for any length of time you can probably guess the answer...we please God first and always. The Bible is very clear on this:

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. -- Galatians 1:10 NIV

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. -- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

We don't want to just blow off the approval of those we care about...we should want very much to make them happy. As with all things, if our focus is first and foremost on God and on serving Him then our approach is taken from a position of love and caring and those who still won't be pleased...they wouldn't be pleased no matter what anyway so all we can do is our best and pray for the grumps. Thanksgiving is a time for coming together and sharing food and thankfulness. I pray that you keep God first this week and that you have the best Thanksgiving holiday ever!