The Lesson of The Donkey-Setting Boundaries

 

One of the best bits of practical advice that I can give my sons is the lesson of the donkey. At different times in my life, I have been faced with people who always seemed to take the wind out of my sails, people whom when I left their presence, I always felt drained or hurt. Being a cheerful and friendly person, I would keep the cycle going, reaching out and expecting a positive response. But these people were donkeys. Donkeys are not always easy to spot, but I’m hoping to train my boys to avoid them whenever possible. There are a few people who I can’t avoid in my life that are like donkeys. I keep going to the donkey thinking the donkey will be happy for me, say something nice, or that we will have a good time. And then I get kicked. And I wonder, what happened? Well, I went to the donkey. Donkeys kick. So, if I go to the donkey and then get kicked, I should know better than to expect anything different. Although it hurts, and sometimes I still get kicked, I have to remind myself that some people are just donkeys and that I should stay away from them.  I should not expect to get from a donkey what a donkey cannot give, and that donkeys can’t turn into prize-winning stallions. They just don’t have it in them.

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 14:7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

Proverbs 20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Proverbs 23:9  Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

Proverbs 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.