We all know the old saying, “You can’t please everybody”.  That is true in business, in ministry and in life.  No matter what you do, someone is going to be disappointed.

Sometimes that disappointment is justified.  If we don’t live up to a promise, or we make a costly mistake, we have failed to meet expectations and need to do our best to make up for it.

But often, we’ve done everything “right” and with the best of intentions, and still … somebody’s expectations have not been met and they are unhappy.

I find it interesting that Jesus, who lived a perfect, sinless life, managed to disappoint an awful lot of people.  Mary and Martha were disappointed that He didn’t arrive in time to heal Lazarus. The Jewish leaders were disappointed that He didn’t point an accusatory finger at an adulterous woman.  Even His disciples, His closest friends and allies, were disappointed that He had no interest in setting up a military kingdom on here on earth.

So how did Jesus deal with all these disappointed people? Read the rest of the story at Do a New Thing.

The words were flying out of my mouth like projectile missals fast enough to break the sound barrier and they were not “working for peace”.

What – or who – they were working for was me, my sinful self.  They were working to make my point, to have my opinion heard – loudly, to get my way, to force my teenage daughter to stop what she was doing and do what I wanted her to do.

They were not working to resolve the issue…  they were working to cause more strife and discord.

They were not working to prevent hostility…  they were working to further damage an already fragile relationship

My words were not “working for peace”.

Learn how to “work for peace” by visiting Sweet to the Soul.

“Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring – for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” Esther 8:8 NIV

Years ago God convicted my spirit about the words that came out of my mouth. I was listening to a cassette tape of my brother-in-law preaching a sermon. (Yes, a cassette tape.) I don’t remember the exact phrase he used, but it went something like this…

“Our words are meant to edify and build up others. If your words are not building others up, it’s better not to say them at all.”

I’d heard the old saying my entire life…If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. But until this moment, I hadn’t realized how damaging negative speech could be. God gripped my heart, and my tongue, that day. I realized then how much I needed to work on speaking positive words.

I didn’t understand, however, how difficult the battle would be.

Read the rest of the story at MoreThanYourself.com.

“Granny!” He called as he burst through the back door. He spread his arms wide and planted his little feet shoulder width apart, inviting me to look at the wetness running down his pants.

He stood before me in complete surrender, showing me his most embarrassing moment. Knowing I was the only one who could make things better. He didn’t try to hide. He knew he needed help.

“I thought I could make it, but I didn’t.” His voice trailed off, disappointment written all over his young face.

Learn the rest of the story at EllenChauvin.com.