True story.  I have had people tell me that I ask too many questions.
It happened once at a wedding reception and again at a department lunch at work.
I thought I was just making conversation. Apparently, they didn’t take it that way.

I have been complimented for being easy to talk to.
It has happened with friends and with strangers.
I thought I was just making conversation. Apparently, they were glad I did.

One person’s compliment of you may be another person’s criticism.

Same you. Different reaction.

For you, people may ask why you started that blog or ministry. Is it because you think you have it all together? Some may see it that way. Others may just be encouraged and inspired.

Same you, different reaction.

Or maybe you have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom instead of working outside the home. Some may say you are wasting your education. Others will see the value of a mom who has chosen to pour her time in being with her kids.

Same you, different reaction.

Jesus encountered this very thing. When a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus for healing, the man gets what he came for and then some. He walks away (literally) healed and his sins forgiven. Some people were praising God, other people began accusing Jesus of blasphemy.

Same Jesus, different reaction.

You are going to come across people who misread, misunderstand and mistake you for being a certain way. You’re going to come across other people who acknowledge, appreciate and applaud you for being that exact same way.

That’s when you have to ask yourself…why?  Why am I doing this? When we do things with a right motive, we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father is pleased even when people aren’t.

Mother Theresa gives us a beautiful reminder that when we do what we do, “… in the end, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.”

And what a beautiful reaction God has for you: Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

~ Anu