We all live with some sort of longing—a gap between the life we want and the life we actually have. As we navigate this gap, we try to hang on to the hope that God will change our circumstances or fulfill our desires.
For some, those prayers are answered. Yet for others, the longing persists, making us weary at best and debilitated at worst. So, how do you find joy in this life when it isn’t the life you hoped for?
We all face issues that try to rob us of our joy—anxiety, loneliness, and discontent—just to name a few. And with all of its expectations and contradictions, this world can take a major toll on us…
We’re supposed to be fit, but not too skinny. Work and hustle, but stay home and be a good mom. Be wild and free, while remaining tidy and pure. Be a good wife, but be totally independent.
It can be exhausting, can’t it?
A few years ago (ok, maybe like 10!), my family gathered around a large cheese pizza and I overheard a conversation between our son Clayton and his friend Brandon. “It’s hard to make flamingo’s happy,” Brandon sighed with resignation.
“I know,” consoled Clayton.
“What?” I asked. “How do your boys know about the emotional state of flamingos?!”
Sometimes I stumble into wanting things.
The checkout line is long, and inevitably, I’m in line behind the coupon queen. I like watching extreme couponers on HGTV, but in real life – not so much.
As I stand there, I find myself staring at the checkout line aisle, and all the sudden, I venture off my shopping list. You know what I’m talking about; under the mints and the gum are all the items I forgot that I needed. Like, floss picks, hand sanitizer, and Tide-To-Go sticks. And while I’m at it, I find myself picking up a lint roller, even though I never lint roll anything. Ever. My moment of weakness peaks when I grab peanut m&ms.
Thankfully coupon diva takes so long I’m able to knock some sense into myself and put the “things I didn’t know I needed” back onto the shelf where they belong.
Those checkout lines are strategic. We all know this. We’ve seen many a tantrum as the child lusts after Fun Dip candy at eye level, only to be told a devastating no.
However, I’m starting to realize I stand in that checkout line a lot more than just at the grocery store.
