Let no plan of yours be thwarted!!

   I really feel that here in small town America we teach our children a herd mentality. You know, be like the rest of the flock so as they don't turn on you. We no longer encourage our kids to be different, and when one of their friends is very different we encourage them to distance themselves so the others in the herd will accept our child. I hate this because God has made no mistakes in the creation of our children!! They are his masterpieces! He has a purpose for them in their lives that only they are equipped to accomplish! And I wonder if we squash all of these qualities are we essentially trying to thwart God's plans? Job 42:2 says I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted!
   I wonder as I look back on Jesus disciples could Paul have reached those that Peter reached? Possibly, but God equipped Peter for this task. Peter who was loud and aggressive. One of those strong personalities led by emotions and easily angered. But someone needed this man. And, if the others had tried to turn him into what they felt an apostle should be, well first I believe they would have been unsuccessful, and second they would have missed the blessing that was Peter.
   I wonder if the woman who's tears and hair washed Jesus feet had been taught to worry about what "the others" would say, would she still have poured out her perfume and her heart? Who can say? But all the same she did and because she was willing to go against the grain Jesus was pleased with her. And all the others in the house who saw her devotion to this Jesus were curious and I'm sure some were brought to him because of this!
    Who knows if that one act of courage or that one person brought to the father by you is the whole reason you were created. Mordecai told Esther she was created for such a time as this. She was the one to step forward and go against the grain, and be different in her approach to the king. She with the help of God saved her people! But she was not like the other girls brought before the king!

Happily worshiping in their own way!

   Thank you God for these differences you have created in our children and father I pray for each of them that they would grow to be the unique amazing people you have created them to be! I pray that your plans would not be thwarted by well meaning people trying to help them be accepted. I pray father that as parents to these "different" kids we would know how to mentor them, and that our hearts would be open to the Holy spirits leading. I refer back to Job 42:2 I know you can do all things! He could have created them to be the "same" He chose to make them "this way" You are all knowing and you knew exactly who our children would be and you entrusted us with them please let us not fail them and not doubt who you have created them to be!
   God bless and keep you, Ms. Jill