Thirsty Thursday: 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Not long ago, my husband and I met some new friends. What began as a few encounters of small talk and introducing our families in between church services soon became an instant connection of bonding one evening on our first family date of many. Between grilled cheeseburgers and fruit pizza along with a feast of more options, we talked life as if we had been walking this journey together all along.

Between laughter, tears, and more laughter, I saw Jesus. Through people who loved us although we arrived an hour late. Accepted us in ways that haven’t always been familiar. Kept us calm and relaxed as all of our 8 children had balls flying through the air in their living room…reminding us…those are the little things that become big things and to enjoy it while it lasts. The people who told us we seemed like the family who had it all together and as we shared our journey, they didn’t love us less, yet loved us more.

I don’t want to be the couple who comes off as we “have it all together.” That’s actually been said to us twice in the past two weeks (in complimentary form), however, it turned a few wheels in my mind.

I’ve been the wife to struggle with those families who seemed to “have it all together.” Found myself greatly envious and yearning. Why? Because all I was viewing was the outward appearance. Comparing minivans, family vacations, and well, how that family all has matching socks and ours do well to find two socks of the same length. (the sock war = a weakness in need of prayer my friend.)

Have you felt like you were less than in the presence of others before because they were working so hard to convince you how “together” their life is compared to yours? I have struggled immensely in this area at times. I have freedom now knowing God doesn’t care about those materialistic comparisons. He cares where our heart stands…on both sides. And it is He I am to be concerned with.

Aren’t we striving on social media to at least look like we have it all together though each of us knows we don’t? Is there anything stirring in our hearts maybe Jesus is a tad more concerned with than our #sundayfunday picture of perfection? There is nothing wrong with lavishing over these people we love while showing them off a little.

I just want to challenge you as well as myself, to be more of a “Me Too” person as our pastor, Steven Furtick refers. I’m in the process of learning that the stripping of pride breaks down comparison and competition. When we have less of those two things, we are better capable to love people in their mess as well as be loved in our own. If we’re honest, we are all in this together.

We’re all trying to cover our cracks when, in reality the cracks are what make our story the most beautiful. The redemption, the healing, the miracle which all come from the suffering. If only we would focus less on the outward appearance of our lives and more on the inward condition of our hearts may we be better suited for fellowship with the very people God ordains in our lives for a purpose.

the lovely exchange:

Focusing on our outward appearance
(false leading of “having it all together”)

Exchanged for

Focusing on what lies in our heart as well as others
(allowing freedom for the movement of Jesus in your life as well as others)

Neil and Jennifer, thank you for your acceptance of our messy life. For being our Me Too kind of people. For speaking such profound words of love into our marriage and family. For accepting God’s leading as mentors in our marriage. We couldn’t be more grateful.