Wanda’s Journal

Who Should I Please?

One of the most obvious things about the Amish life is their desire to yield to God and please Him by the things they say and do. They teach their children to pray before and after each meal. They attend church together as a family and sing songs about God. They give themselves to others.

While all these things are pleasing to God, what pleases Him more than anything is when we worship Him with our whole heart. Sometimes we feel the need to please others, but the One we should want to always please is the Lord.

Pleasing God should be our goal;
He sent His Son to save man’s soul.
Like a father cares for his young,
God provides for Christians, everyone.
He takes care of those who trust;
The desire to please Him is really a must.

— WEB

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55 Comments

  1. I lived close to the Amish in Lancaster county PA many years and they are close to GOD. I believe many times they help others because they care and not because they are trying to please the ones they are helping but they feel they are pleasing GOD because they are loving their neighbors as themselves. I truly have respect for the Amish as they are hard workers and caring folks. I love all your books and have many in my small library. You may recall my name as you sent me promo items for the library and they are almost gone as you are very popular and I was surprised how many of my readers didn’t know about your books. I guess I take for granted everyone know about your books. I know I started a new interest and hope your sales are showing some of the effort I put in it to see people heard about you. Thanks for your books. GOD BLESS YOU. Sue Leech, 1273 Stahan rd., New Columbia, PA 17856

  2. It is the most important thing to consider what pleases the Crator. The hard part comes in understanding what is pleaing to Him as we learn and grow. The transitions we go through in life from child to adult to parent…how to be submissive and to whom. The joy in learning is the humbling feeling we get at the end of one stage when our eyes are unvailed and we can see what God Almighty expects of us in the presecnt stage due to the growth from the last one. *smile*
    *song* On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. *end song* Remember that everything is meaningless such as chasing after the wind. I love that! It’s not easy for me to swallow, but I do love it! *smile* Have a blessed day growing in His ways. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!

  3. Thank you for sharing this! It was really an encouragement to me! It’s something that I definitely struggle with sometimes… I feel the need to do something or not do something, so that other people will “like me” or I will “fit in”, or to “please them”. But, that’s not what it’s all about (Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17). It’s all about pleasing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ… He’s really the only One that matters (Colossians 3:17), and the One we should be living to please, and glorify throughout our whole lives (1 Corinthians 10:31). 🙂 I also wanted to take the time to thank you for all the books you have written! I love reading all of them. My Mom does, as well! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into them (although I’m sure you love doing it, as well)! 🙂 Have a wonderful day, and know that you are in my prayers!
    In His Name,
    Karissa Paull♥

    1. I believe in being me, and when I want to please someone I pray to God first, and am I really doing this for me or whom> I try to do right but I feel if I pray first about something and then do it, I have the nudge from God to make that right decision. I agree with Jackie too that we need reminders at times.
      Diane

  4. Thanks so much Wanda for writing this article.I needed to hear this.It is so hard to please people these days…When all we need to do is please the Lord.Lord please help me to always be reminded of this and always do my best to please you.In all I do always ask if this is pleasing to you Lord.

  5. We too live near the Amish,,they are such gentle an loving ppl,,ppl need to not judge what you dont understand,,I agree with what you said,,well said

  6. What a beautiful reminder! I knowin the busyness of everyday life, I sometimes forget to think this way, so I am glad that you made me stop a moment and really think about where my priorities should be. Thank you!

  7. Wanda, I really enjoyed reading The Struggle. Thanks so much for the ARC and the Amish pie basket.
    I often need a reminder about who we should be trying to please. Thanks for the helpful acticle.

  8. I just started to read Wanda’s books this past year. I probably read at least 20 of them by now from the different series that she has written. I love these books so much that I had my daughter, 14 years old, read “The Storekeepers Daughter” for a school project. The teacher actually let her, I was so pleased. Now my daughter wants to become Amish or at least for now live a simplier more meaningful life. There is an Amish community in Mio, Michigan that a family cabin is at. We shop the Amish shops everytime we are there. My daughter is so amazed at how they can live such a plain and simple life and still survive. It’s such an eye opener for her. Anyway I love all of the books that I have read so far and do hope to get more or them to share with my daughter. I’ve learned so much about God, even though I am a Christian, just in a different way. Helps me with the not so good situations in my life to learn how the Amish handle their situations is such an heart touching life lesson. Thank you Wanda for all you put into your books and sharing your life experiences through them.

  9. I am not very religious but I do think we should try to help others in our community. As a Girl Guide (you would call it Girl Scout) I was supposed to do a good deed each day. Sometimes I think of that after I have helped someone – it doesn’t take long to make a difference if somebody needs a hand. This is more personal and thoughtful than just giving to a charity collection. If you believe that God would be pleased, that is fine by me. The result is the same.
    But I would think that if somebody never thought to get up off their knees from prayer to hold a door open for someone struggling with a wheelchair or a pushchair and shopping, then they were not being a very good person, however religious they were.
    I hope this is okay.

  10. God should always be number 1 in our lives. Thank You for letting us know that this is and always will be the way we should be living our lives.

  11. Very interesting! I’m fascinated with the Amish culture and lifestyle since it is so different from what I’ve lived in. But I think this message is universal. 🙂

  12. Wanda,

    Thank you for your thought provoking words. We so often worry about pleasing others and seeking their approval…it is ONLY God’s love and approval that REALLY matter. Making a difference in other people’s lives is indeed what God wants from us.

    Thank you all of your wonderful books…I look forward to reading many, many more!!

  13. Thank you for these thoughts. I have found that when you live ‘one day at a time’ it is easier to help others and please God. Your focus is more on ‘what can I do at this moment’ to please God and things slow down, instead of the constant rushing through life. It also helps us put our trust in God to help us take care of the future.

  14. Amen! Sometimes we are so focused in what others may think and we don’t focus on what the Lord thinks about what we say or do. It is God’s will that worship and praise Him in everything we do at all times. If we maintain our focus on Him, everything we do will be pleasing unto His eyes. As a children’s leader, I try to project God’s love and mercy as a testimony to them, that they may allow the Lord to guide their lives.
    Thank you Wanda for all of your wonderful books!

  15. How easy it is to get lost in the cares and concerns of this world and to forget the more eternal, lasting values of a Godly lived life. The Amish books really help me to stay focused on the important things in life and turn loose of the trivial, daily cares.

  16. I love your books as they remind me to have faith no matter what the trials and tribulations you may have in your life. Recently a death in our family has brought out the worst in a sibling. I have been struggling with negative and harsh feelings over this and just receiving your newsletter helped me to reflect on the messages from your books and to be able to let go of the bitterness and just except what is, knowing God has a plan.

  17. The Amish are such a fascinating people, not only in a religious sense but in their daily habits of living. I think they are right on that simple is best but sometimes they carry it to an extreme with their heavy clothing while working in the heat or their relationships. God wants everyone to be happy; they seem to be but are they?

  18. Sometimes people forget that ‘God is within you’. When situations happen you should follow your instinct and listen to the God within you. I know for me I always instinctively want to do the right thing, even if it’s hard, but I don’t always do the right thing for all the wrong reasons. I think if we listened the first time we would always be pleasing God and making the right decision. I don’t know why it’s harder to do the right thing, make the right choice. It’s really as simple as being kind and giving love.

  19. When we worship in church (or any other place) we are doing it for an audience of ONE, not for anyone or anything else. We should be putting our whole heart and sole into praising the ONE that loves us more than we could ever imagine. Too many people, including myself, worry about what others around us are thinking about us as we hold our hands up to the Lord in worship. Our pastor has said that he thinks of his grandchildren holding their hands up to him to pick them up and he thinks of himself doing the same to the Lord. Holding his hands up to the Lord for Him to “lift him up”. I like to think of it this way as well!

  20. I believe that if you do everything you can for others that will make God happy and the Amish people do the same thing. I life people get so busy that they don’t help others that need it.

  21. I total agree with everyone. I feel it is very important to help others in need. I feel you are doing God work. I fallin in that trap with people, I do or say things just please the other person. I realize that what is important is doing God will. He comes first in my life. As long as my relationship with him is full and that my heart is fully open to him. I get busy with everyday things and forget to stop, take a time to speak to him and pray. I know I have to have total faith, trust and belief in him. I truly respect the Amish Life. They truly are loving and caring people. They love and give from the heart. They acknowledge God everyday. He comes first in their lives. Material things mean nothing to them. They live simple lives. They are a close knit family. They work hard in their community. I know they may have some trials along their way but they turn over to God and put it in his hands.

  22. I was raised in a staunch Southern Baptist Home. We were not allowed to have cards, dice, etc. in our home. As a child, I never thought about it much; however, as the older I get, I wondered why was cards/dice displeasing to God. I wasn’t going to gamble, I just wanted to learn how to play spades & other card games like other kids. Somehow, I felt like the Amish kids I love to read about. I became a Christian and joined a Baptist Church at 8 years old. I love the God and continue to serve him. He is my Lord and Savior!!!

  23. That was so nice of a reminder to all of us in our busy lives we forget the most important things and that is thanking the lord and speaking to him during the day just thanking him for the basic things that some of us have in our lives that others may not have . My life isn’t busy anymore and I have no excuse so at night I ask his forgiveness and then I continue . I just love your notes and espeically getting your e-mails they really make you think and bring you back to whats important in life.

  24. So often in our busy lives it is too easy to forget that God must come first. Its good to be reminded every once in a while what’s really important.

  25. So often these days, we as Christians get caught up in the world’s philosophies and way of life…forgetting that this world is not our home! We’re just passing through. Thank you for the reminder!

  26. Such a nice reminder of our true purpose. It’s so easy to get too busy…to remember what’s really important.

  27. THANKS TO WRITERS LIKE YOU, WANDA, YOUR READERS CAN UNDERSTAND THE LIFE OF THE AMISH COMMUNITY, THEIR RELIGION , AND THEIR POWERFUL COMMITTMENT TO GOD. WHAT AWESOME PEOPLE THEY ARE. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL BOOKS YOU HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM!!!

  28. Beautiful article and I think that treating people kindly rewards the one giving the kindness the most.

  29. Wnda, I love to read the things that you write for us. Thanks. If we really love GOD and want to please Him, these other things, like helping others will just be a part of our thinking. This is what HE teaches us. HE tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Praise GOD for caring enough to send HIS son to die for me, so I can be a child of GOD, and one day join HIM in Heaven. Maxie

  30. I personally do not know any Amish people, but sometimes when I read about them, I feel like I do.
    Thanks for the books you write. I really enjoy them.

  31. My father and Mother in law had a place near the Amash in Pennsylvania. They where the sweetess people you would want to meet and have for neighbors. They would go out of the way to help you. They know how to show the love of God in all they do. If all of us could learn to live like them and help others. Just love your books and the message they carry. Thank you

  32. God should always be the One we want to please to get to Heaven. We should obey His rules and use His words i n the Bible to live a faithful christian life and only then will we be pleaseing to God.

  33. Thank you for your reminder that God should be first in our lives. Living near Amish helps in my faith . I enjoy reading your books and getting the messages they give. Keep on writing!

  34. I believe that when we love God with our entire being,
    we can then, truly love ourselves. This leads to a wonderful
    circle of giving and receiving love…
    Many thanks, Cindi

  35. If we do things that are pleasing to God we will be a good example to others. We can feel that we are doing what is best for others and ourselves when we please God.

  36. Just as a teacher cannot teach a child everything, we all need to come together to help each other. This country was founded on religious freedoms, so putting God first in our lives should be a natural way to live. Not only should we come together in hard time and peril, we should always be there for one another.

  37. I often feel the need to please everyone even before myself, or God…because I get confused and think , or yet question “God would want me to do this right?”. Before I know it, I am doing waaay too much, and neglecting things I shouldn’t. Thanks for this reminder!
    sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com

  38. Wanda,

    I not only love reading your books, but your journal entries and devotions are not only inspirational, but a blessing to me! Thank for you enlightening us on the fascinating Amish culture and traditions and for encouraging us through your experiences and God’s Word.

    What a blessing you are!
    Sincerely,
    Lanita Anderson

  39. I am in awe of there depth of faith and their ability to work towards forgiveness of others. I enjoy reading books about their life in our time.

  40. Wanda, I have taken what you have said to heart. So many wonderful comments here to think over too.

  41. I believe that you should live life to the fullest, take time to enjoy the little things for end the end they will mean the most, love your neighbor, be honest to yourself and others and enjoy every second you have with those you love and most of all tell those you love that you cherish them, follow the golden rule and beyond all be grateful for all you have and for what you do not have because it brings you strength and endurance. I believe this is the secrete to happiness!

  42. I enjoy the Amish books with lessons for all to learn. I appreciate the simple things in life and always trusting God as my Lord & Savior no matter the circumstances. He will never fail His children. Wanda, thank you for making this world a better place with your postings and great books to read. I cannot put one of your books down until I have finished it. Then I’m always waiting for the next in the series. Brothers of Kentucky is a great series and I like how you tied them back to an earlier series. God’s blessings and guidance in all you do.

  43. I remember Christmas as a little girl, with five sisters and one brother. My dad would go up on the hill and cut down the Christmas tree and it would never stand up straight so we had to tie a string on it and nail it to the wall, with lots and icicles and bubble lights our tree was beautiful. My dad would go down to the country store and buy bags of Christmas candy that we loved and never got but at Christmas and would put the candy on a three tier stand. We would be so excited and could not sleep and my dad would walk in the yard jingling bells and making boots and sleigh marks to represent Santa. We also went to church and did the Christmas play and i was the youngest and always would say the welcome, and at the end of our Christmas play all about the baby Jesus with singing and costume, then Santa would come down the aisle and gives us all a present. I knew Christmas was all about baby Jesus, but it was so exciting to get a present from Santa, because we didn’t get presents all year long. My memories are so mixed this year because my dad just passed away the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but i will always remember how he took us to church and my mom cooked and kept us clean and in clean clothes. But no one can take away my memories of those years when i was young.

  44. I was saved as a young adult in my twenties. I shyed away from God many years ago, although at the present time, i am coming back to Him. I beleive in Him and have always beleived in Him. I pray daily, with my reflection time. I don’t question Him on what He does, because He has a reason, His reason as to why, how He does and wants things done.I don’t go to church regularly like i want to. I’m still learning about Him and I’m 51 yrs old. I wish now that when i married my husband, that he was a Godly man, so he could go to church with me, but, he isnt and he doesnt…..just sharing some with y’all because i dont think I’m the only one in this type of situation. God Bless you Wanda xoxo