April 16, 2013

• Heart: You should bowl, instead.

  

  We spent Saturday out at my parents’ ranch. It was beautiful and so relaxing. We’ve had several “one last time” moments as their moving plans have changed a time or two. Everything’s bittersweet lately.

  The bitter: saying goodbye. living farther away.

  The sweet: seeing their dreams fulfilled. hope for momma’s health. 

  At church on Sunday they had a “Celebration Service”. Instead of having someone speak, we celebrated the painful and beautiful stories told by people in our community via pre-recorded interviews and live baptisms using cardboard testimonies. I had tears brimming the entire time. 

  

  There is something so powerful about being able to rejoice with other people.  Even more so when you do it in a crowd. You can feel the joy multiplying. I have noticed this in my daily life as well, not just in church. Being able to celebrate with someone when they’ve reached a milestone, conquered an obstacle, or unexpectedly had something amazing handed to them. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. 

  

  I can recall a number of times where I have been in the midst of something GREAT (being engaged, moving to a new state, getting a new job, getting a new pet, etc.) and have been hit with judgement, jealousy, and just all around negativity or suspicion from people around me. It feels awful. The first time I was made to feel horrible for something good happening in my life, I journaled about it, vowing to make every effort possible to never make anyone else feel that way.

  

  I know both sides of this for sure. There are some things I want so badly and work so hard for. When I see someone come across those things easily, and they don’t seem to appreciate them, I get a twinge of jealousy and frustration. It’s a hard pill to swallow. The only thing that helps me is to remember what its like on the other side…when I was the one experiencing something good and someone rained on my parade. 

  

  I love that I have a handful of family and friends who have always rejoiced with me at each new turn in my life. You really don’t have to understand WHY in order to love and support someone. Sometimes logic isn’t the best answer. Sometimes following a pull in your heart makes you look completely crazy, but you know its worth the risk. People who truly love you will recognize that. 

  

  I have very few friends/family who follow the all-American “ducks in a row” way of life.  We’re all kind of wandering in all directions, sometimes asking God to be present, sometimes shutting Him out completely and looking at our own feet, sometimes completely forgetting what we started out looking for. We’re all learning as much as we can and soaking up as much life as we can and spreading as much love as we can. That’s what makes life beautiful.

  

  If someone makes it halfway across a rushing river and asks for a “Hip-hip-hooray” I gladly holler. It doesn’t matter that the stepping stone they’re on doesn’t have enough pretty moss for my liking, or if I hate rivers, or if I think they’d be better at bowling than hiking. I rejoice with them, because halfway across a rushing river on a moss-depraved rock is better than sitting down and giving up. I gladly throw out 2 hips and a hooray because hiking makes them HAPPY and fulfills something in their soul that they were DESIGNED by God to do.  (all allegorical, of course, unless you’re a hiker…then it works)

  

  “You aren’t ready for marriage.”

  “You’re too immature for that.”

  “You’ll never make it in a new state.”  

  “That job doesn’t make enough money.”

  “Why don’t you have kids yet?”

  “Why’d you get a dog?”

  “Someday you’ll learn…and then you’ll be miserable like the rest of us.”

  

  Maybe the nay-sayers don’t realize that squashing joy in others only causes their own negativity cloud to grow. The people in your life don’t need your approval to follow their dreams, but they do crave your support. 

  

  My favorite part of the weekend was sitting cross legged with my parents on the concrete in the middle of the driveway. They made it feel like a party. I love that they live passionately and rock the norm. I have a lot to learn on the subject of not letting the opinions of others hinder me from moving forward in life. Watching them live their lives inspires me to follow my dreams (no matter how crazy or illogical) despite those pesky nay-sayers. 

  What can I celebrate with you today? I have my confetti ready. 

  

  • 4:51 pm
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