I think to some degree it is human nature to want to please people. We all have faced situations where we knew that we were making the right decision, but there were people around us who were critical. There is this part of us that wants to explain it in a million different ways to get them to understand, agree and support. The reality is, sometimes no matter what we say there are people who are set on being critics and no carefully phrased diatribe could change that.

When you feel like your being pulled in a million different directions trying to please those around you, just remember that what really matters is living for an audience of one. As long as you know that you are doing His will, what other people think is irrelevant.

When I committed my life to Christ, I gave up my right to do what I think is a good idea. I also gave up the right to allow other people's opinions or past experiences to dictate my future. There were a lot of ideas that I had (and other people had) about how my future should turn out and I thank God everyday that it turned out His way! We would have never been married if we would have relied on the opinions of others! And our own plans...Brandon and I thought at one point we may never have children! What were we thinking? I thank God for our little surprise, Hannah, who showed us what an incredible blessing that a child could be in our lives. Now our dream is to one day open a dream center for children, to become advocates for children's rights, to adopt from third world countries and become a mother and father to the abused and neglected. Children have now become our passion because we realize how wonderful and valuable they are. We would have never discovered this incredible joy if we had done things our way. God had other plans...and the rhythm method is no method at all! Ha ha!

I learned through all that that He is in complete control. When I feel my life is out of control - it is! And that is exactly how I want it, out of my control and in His. His way always turns out better than what I had in mind or what other people had in mind. Every major decision we have made has been surrounded by critics and looked back on with no regrets! Even moving to Las Vegas was considered a bad idea by those around us. I wouldn't trade those years for the world. We grew, thrived, matured and learned more than we could have ever learned remaining in our Oregon bubble.

The Do's and Don'ts:

Do what is in your heart, but be open to Him redirecting your path.
Don't allow the desire to please people override your desire to please the Lord.
Don't bother yourself trying to win over your critics - it is an endless feat!
Do make every decision for an audience of one!

I would love to hear your stories on similar situations...your critics, your surprises from the Lord, your tough decisions...