Friday, May 05, 2017

Five Minute Friday: SHOULD




Today I'm joining the Five Minute Friday linkup again, where we write for five minutes on a given prompt. 

This week's word is SHOULD.





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SHOULD is a very versatile word. It can make us feel lousy about the past, the present, and the future.

The past:


  • "I should have been a better mom; I made so many mistakes."
  • "I should have been kinder to that person, but now it's too late."

The present:

  • "I should lose weight; nothing fits me and I look awful."
  • "I should be doing some volunteer work. My neighbour volunteers 30 hours a week."

The future:

  • "I should say yes to that request, although I know I won't have the time to do it well, because So-and-So will be angry with me if I don't."
  • "I should set achievable goals for all areas of my life for this next year so that I'll be able to get rid of this nagging feeling of unworthiness ..."

Talk about pressure. We impose so many should's on ourselves, many of them based on comparison, shame, guilt, regret, and stress.

But God doesn't bombard us with should messages that trap and discourage us. Instead, He calls us. He invites us.

"He has shown you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

Not a should in sight.





22 comments:

  1. GREAT thoughts Jeannie! We wrote in similar veins this week. We'll make ourselves miserable if we focus on the should's won't we? It's all about living for Jesus isn't it? I'm behind you this week at Kate's.

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    1. Hi Christy - yes, I thought the same when I read your piece: we were on the same wave length. Thanks for your encouraging words. I hope you enjoy your weekend too.

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  2. Yaaaaaay! Sometimes, I'm gulilty of putting on the heaviest coat of 'should' that I can, then wonder why I stagger. Thanks, Jeannie!

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    1. So true, Gwen. And we do it to ourselves! Sometimes it's the outer voices, but I think more often it is our own inner voice, pressuring us to perform and accomplish. I love your image of the heavy coat of "should."

      Thanks so much for coming by to read and comment.

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  3. Jeannie, I enjoyed how you focused on God's invitation. He is always reaching out to us. As i have looked over the posts today, it seems like the word should brings thoughts of guilt--but we need to walk forward in faith, accepting God's invitation.

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    1. I agree, Carol. It has really made me stop and think about how I might be pressuring others (as well as myself) with the should's. I appreciate your coming by to read and leave a comment; thanks!

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  4. So true, Jeannie -- "God doesn't bombard us with should messages that trap and discourage us. Instead, He calls us. He invites us." And when I daily accept His invitation, the "should's" become my "want to do's." Blessings to you from #17 at FMF.

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    1. Thanks so much, Alice - I appreciate your stopping by. I don't think we have connected on FMF before, so I'm glad that is happening today.

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  5. Truth: "But God doesn't bombard us with should messages that trap and discourage us. Instead, He calls us. He invites us." I'm in the 30 spot this week.

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    1. Thank you, Tara - I'm glad this spoke to you!

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  6. Thanks for these thoughts Jeannie! God does not put these "shoulds" on us, and He wants us to live freely in his love. Thanks for the reminder that God intends a different focus- one on Him! #FMF #34

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Amy. This was such a good prompt. Hope you enjoy your weekend.

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  7. Love that - "he invites us." Isn't that such a beautiful reminder that God's grace and love are an invitation? Thanks for including that phrase, Jeannie!

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    1. Thanks, Annie - I really appreciate your coming by to read. Take care and have a good weekend.

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  8. Unburdened by should - what a blessing to rest in God, Jeannie. Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. You're welcome, Tim -- I appreciate your comment as always!

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  9. 'Should' is a noose that was handed to me by my mother. Great post :-)

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. The should's can stay with you for a lifetime, can't they.

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  10. Jeannie, what a great post! I'm so thankful God is not One who "shoulds" us to the point of hopelessness. I love that He calls us and invites us to walk through life with Him. I appreciate this perspective shift. Great post!

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    1. Thank you so much, Jeanne. This post was almost scarily easy to write. I think we all put ourselves at the mercy of the should's at times and need that reminder that those voices are not God's.

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  11. should-a, would-a, could-a's are all so exhausting, aren't they Jeannie. to be freed from them to simply be obedient to what God calls us to is the greatest victory!

    his yoke is easy, his burden is light.

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    1. Yes, I think sometimes we feel that is just too good to be true - there has to be a catch. Thanks for reading and commenting today, Linda; I always appreciate your being here.

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