I hate being told what to do. I absolutely hate it. If you tell me I should do something, I won’t do it. Your suggestion may be valid. You may be wise beyond your years. Your advice may even help me lose five pounds.
If you say, “You should do this.” I will ignore you.
The word “should” is a verb. It is used to indicate obligation, duty or correctness. It also indicates a desirable or expected state.
You should cut your hair, you are over the age of fifty. You should die your hair, you have a lot of gray. You should put your children in public school, they are too isolated at home. You should go to bed earlier, you wake up tired. You should…
Why do people give advice when not asked? Why do people think they can “should me?”
There is only one person I will listen to without question. He lived over two thousand years ago. When he was twelve he sat among the teachers in the temple courts; He listened and asked questions. He ate fish and bread. He had twelve students. He healed people and invited children to come to Him. He died on the cross, was buried and rose three days later.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
I will love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and strength. I will love my neighbor as myself. Now I will go and brush my long gray hair. I will teach my children and stay up late writing.
Do you like being told what you “should” do?
