Monday, March 26, 2012

you're 'ok' and my 'ok' are not the same

dear emily,

before you were even born, i'm ok, you're ok was published to many people's
delight.  i remember being 12 or 13 and listening to my parents discuss the
wonders of the book with my uncle jim.   he especially loved the idea of every-
one being ok.

after more time than i thought was ok,  i also remember thinking, "ok, ok, ok!
can someone please take me to the mall?"

this morning my husband and i were taking a bike ride through our fine city's
beautiful streets.   he would speed through intersections, saying, "you're ok!"
this, of course, meant that i didn't need to slow down but could safely sail
right across the intersecting street.

google image


halfway across, the angel on my right shoulder said, "you can trust him.    he
loves you."

the devil on my left shoulder said, "just take a peek."   sure enough there was
a truck too close for comfort, so i sped up a bit and arrived on the other side
in one piece.

i told him, "you're ok and MY ok are not the same."

love,
lea

"for My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways."
isaiah 55:8

18 comments:

Vee said...

Yikes! I remember that book so well. It was required reading in a psychology class I took in college. See how much older I am than you? Anyway, I think it could be dangerous thinking just as you describe so subtly (actually, you're not that subtle at all; you pretty much spell it right out...yay!) Good thing that you took a peek without substituting someone else's judgement for your own. We're not going to answer for what someone else thought after all. Blessings to you...always so good to find you here.

Cheryl said...

I always enjoy it when your posts show up. And your letters to Emily remind me, too, of what I'd like to say to my Wiley. I was just thinking that maybe you had two angels watching out for you on your bike. At any rate, I'm glad you took that peek.

Farm Girl said...

Haha that is so funny, my calendar this morning from Elisabeth Elliot says, " If you're okay and I'm okay what was Jesus doing on the cross?"
I do remember that book too.
You are so cute, I am glad you took one little peak. :)

Terra said...

You were smart to take a peek and cross the street safely. Like the saying "trust in God, but row away from the rocks."

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

Oooh, my husband does this too. His okay is definitely not mine. It's important that we figure out what our okay is, because your okay and mine may both be right, but yours may not be right for me.

Darcie said...

Can't say that I remember this book, but I can say that I am glad you are okay...ok. :-)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

This is toooooooo funny....you were listening in our home just recently again...my hubby and I used the exact same words to each other just this weekend.

As always, a delightful post...now just how do you do it, of gifted one?

Now explain the "whatever" our kids used for years...oh my!!!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

oh I remember that book too... it was the one everyone was talking about!

You have this neat way of not saying it but saying it so clearly... does that make sense??

Of course you would select that picture. I would too. Makes me laugh just to see her on that bike... and I'm also the one who would 'peek'... :)

I saw your cute comment today on my page. You DO keep me smiling my friend!!

Susy said...

I remember that book ~ and the joke that went with it: "I'm ok - you're so so".

P.S. I NEVer drive with my husband in the car. He can't help himself (:

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Excellent post, Lea. I remember that book and remember what some said about it, "I'm okay, You're Screwed Up". I never read the book as it didn't make sense to me, a Christian. At least, I don't think I read it; if I did, it's long forgotten except for the title -smile-.
Hopefully and prayerfully your family is healing from the passing of your FIL.

Tamara said...

Men and women...
Mars and Venus...
Waffles and Spaghetti...

God has such a sense of humor!

Jen said...

I've not heard of the book, but it sounds like interesting conversation topic. I love your point of view. So many times we trust the It's OK and never look to realize our version is different. It's a good thought to share with a young person, especially when they easily take others words as fact.

Colleen said...

Don't forget the difference in "OK's" when speaking of your children.

Example:
Me - "Is he (one of our sons) okay?"

My Husband - "He's OK...but, his arm is broken."

Jenners said...

My husband and I have very different Oks as well. And I so remember that book!!!

Auntie Cake said...

Hi Lea,
Glad to hear that I am not the only one to sneak a tiny peak, even when I have been told it's ok. I just blame, "old habit's are hard to break."

Hope this finds you and your family well and enjoying more bike rides in beautiful weather.
Kate
PS- you are more than "ok" in my book!

Cinnamon said...

You had me laughing and cringing at the same time. Cringing as you peeked to see if someone was coming :-0

love the relationship you share with your husband~

~Cinnamon

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Back in the day the idea that we all were OK was startling. Now days children are told that everything they do is praiseworthy and something as simple as getting a soda straw handed to you with your drink is "awesome".

Interesting how things change over time.

Gwendolyn said...

I came over from Vee's Favorite Blog posts and here - your verse was the same that I had posted for today! I loved your humour and the great old picture you posted! The only "ok" we can be certain about is what is written in His Word! Thanks!