Raising at one point, three men (young boys) in the house was quite challenging.  Everyday bought out something new and that wasn’t always a good thing.  Men are born leaders, born to take the world by storm, have wives and lead families.  With that in mind no doubt that often they would disagree over who was right and who should be in charge, who should receive orders and the like.  Naturally the assumption and reasonable expectation is that the oldest should lead.  That works for awhile until the oldest gets the ‘parents aren’t right syndrome’.  Every child gets it although the age may vary and it would seem that the child who once knew what to do in the house becomes the child trying to do as little as possible to get by in the house.   At that point, his or her leadership becomes questionable, as he would bring in his thoughts to run a house that isn’t or wasn’t his.  To this end, I would tell them, “if the dog barking makes sense then listen to the dog.”  In other words, your age or gender doesn’t determine your leadership.  If it makes sense then listen and do it.  You don’t have to be the oldest to take charge, do what’s right, what you know to do regardless.  Leadership is having influence as well as making sure to not take advantage of that influence on those who support and recognize your leadership.

It’s the same way in life.  Too often, status, position, perception dictate whether or not we listen to or follow sound advice from others.  We can be quick to follow who’s popular and not always for the right reason.  In doing so, it’s easy to overlook what is right in your face, the people right in front of you that may be speaking to you, speaking into your life.  You can learn from friends, enemies, co-workers, bosses, spouses ad the list goes on and on.  Honestly, you can learn from anyone some of the most valuable lessons are in what NOT TO DO!  You can learn from the mistakes of others limiting your own exposure to hurt and pain.

So are you more concern with getting the message or the messenger that delivers the message?  Often the greatest answers come in the most unusual methods from the most unlikely places.  If your focus is on the messenger and not the message you will miss it.  Look at how often the disciples missed or almost missed Jesus because HE wasn’t in the form that they wanted, preferred or was accustomed.   It is definitely how we overlook blessings.  We expect things to come in one form, the way we want it, the way we imagine it and in that limited thinking, we miss, overlook what lies within us.

Being teachable is a gift.  When you are open to receive messages, you learn in a variety of ways;  by observation as well as direct methods.  Don’t miss some of life’s greatest lessons because you have determined that the messenger is more important than the message.