Pleasing Everyone Is Impossible

Pleasing Everyone Is Impossible

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. Psalm 4:6

As we try to find balance between different and wrong, unconventional and foolhardy, we need to understand that while we can’t change others, we can’t please everyone, either. The ancient storyteller Aesop emphasized this point in one of his fables:

One fine spring morning, a father and his son were on their way to market leading their donkey, which would carry their purchases home.

On the way, they met one of their neighbors, who said, “How silly of you both to walk when you have such a fine donkey.”

So the father set his son on the donkey, and they continued toward the market, still talking and enjoying the morning.

As they came to a bend in the road, they met another neighbor, who said to the son, “How rude you are to ride while your old father must walk.”

So the child slid down from the donkey’s back, the father climbed on, and they continued toward town.

As they topped a little hill, they were met by yet another neighbor, who scowled at the father and said, “What a selfish father you are to make this dear child walk while you, a grown man, ride.”

So the father pulled his son up in front of him on the donkey’s back. Of course, it wasn’t long until they met a fourth neighbor.

“How cruel you are,” he said, “To make this poor donkey carry the two of you.”

So they both slid off the donkey, and the strong father promptly picked up the animal and put it across his shoulders.

As they walked along, still talking and still enjoying the day, they met another neighbor, who doubled over with laughter. “That is the most stupid thing I’ve ever seen! Donkeys are to be ridden, not carried!”

There’s a fine line between what is right and what is mere local custom, between what is wrong and what is only different, between what is wise action and what is a pitiful attempt to please others. But as we seek God’s direction, we will find ourselves on a solid path even when moving outside our usual comfort zones. We will also find excitement and challenge and a greater awareness of God’s creativity. —SANDRA

Lord, I confess I want the approval of those around me. I listen to their voices and accept their standards even though I know your ways will bring peace rather than chaos, joy rather than regret. Help me to ask for your guidance first and then to accept the strength you offer to follow it.

Keep in mind when you come against irksome barriers, they are designed to build character, not destroy it. The problem is, we tend to want our troublesome situations changed now. —LEWIS B. SMEDES (1921–2002), ETHICIST AND THEOLOGIAN