You Are Not Alone

Spring is doing it’s one-step-foward-one-step-back dance and it’s got me all jittery.

For two days I basked in sun and good cheer and the hope that our land would dry out and things like spray painting could once again commence. (I know, spray painting. But look, I have a new house. There is A LOT of spray painting in my future. And I would like my bed off the floor.)

And then today the rain and the chill came back. Just when I had finally painted my toes red and unearthed a pair of flip-flops.

Curses.

It put me in a mood.

And so I thought I would tell you that if you are also in a mood – perhaps one brought on by indecisive weather patterns and spoiled plans – that you are not alone. Not by a long shot.

You are also not alone if

You have to have tunnel vision in order to not to be consumed by the Grand To-Do List.

Your tunnel vision means that in addition to being able to ignore all the things you cannot change yet, you also miss some of the good things staring you in the face. Like a husband that reaches for you across the great divide of blankets once the house is finally still.

 

You are not alone if 

Your  words come out all helter skelter because of how many thoughts are trying to escape the overcrowded express train that is your brain.

Your checking account is looking rather grim more often than you would like.

You are having to make hard decisions about your children’s schooling.

 

You are not alone if 

You are watching Fixer Upper episodes so often you can quote Chip’s jokes along with the show.

You have a child he thinks he is a stand-up comic and turns every serious conversation into joke-fodder. Including discussions on faith.

You wonder if it is possible to truly be happy with the body you have.

 

You are not alone if

You find yourself unfollowing more and more people on social media because you do not have enough margin in your life for that sort of hate.

You wonder if Jesus would unfollow people on social media or if His love is actually bigger than that. (You suspect maybe it is. )

You realize that someone has probably unfollowed you for your beliefs as well.

You give thanks that Jesus’ love is also big enough for your brand of special.

 

You are not alone friends. I am right there with you. 

So maybe today we put on something colorful, a crazy hat, our wildest glasses, our brightest lipstick – so that we can pick each other out of a crowd. Maybe today we look for the others who look like they need a knowing smile. We look for the mother with the screaming toddler in the check-out line. The doctor who is always running behind. The teacher worn out from standardized testing. The single mom with the sour-faced teen at the next table. We look for them and we smile. We get in their line and play peek-a-boo. We forgive their lateness. We send adult snacks and kind notes. We buy them desert. We look for anyway possible to pass the secret handshake that screams I AM WITH YOU SISTER!

Today let’s not compare our insides to someone elses outsides.

Today let us just be together.  As we are. Coloful, messy, broken, beautiful.

Shall we?

xo

J