Be Careful What You Pray For.

You hear it said on a regular basis, 'be careful what you wish for'. A caution that getting what you (think) you want won't always pan out the way you imagined. Similar to a 'the grass is always greener' type situation. Sometimes you get what you wish for and realize it's not at all what you wanted. Well, the same can be said about praying.

I was contemplating this as I've recently been praying for clarity in my life. If there's one thing I'm great at it's making something out of nothing. Somewhat of an eternal optimist when it comes to people I always want to believe the best about everyone and trust that they're everything I hope they are. This is a terrible flaw. Maybe not being an optimist but projecting on other people my good intentioned ideas? A quick road to disappointment.

People are imperfect and just as I have been known to make mistakes, so do they. But bigger than that, making people out to be something in your head that they aren't, just isn't fair. I'm smart enough to realize this but somehow I keep on doing it. That's the way with us people, isn't it?

As the Lord has given me the clarity I asked for, it's been tough on me. I prayed to see the people in my life and my relationships clearly and I have to say it's really taken a toll on me as I've gotten just that. Relationships are frequently not what I imagine them to be. I'm a giving person and it's natural for me to give of myself, but when that's not returned, well, it can only go so far.

I've always hated that quote people love to post everywhere, 'Never make someone a priority, if you're only their option'. Maybe I hate it because there's some truth there I'm not ready to face? I am one incredibly busy person but I make time for the people that matter to me and I make a consistent effort to let them know I care. What I've learned from that is that if someone with a schedule like mine can do that (my Dad is another great example - he's THE busiest man I know and he's a great friend, husband, Dad), so can all the other people in your life, who don't. They choose not too. Yeah, that has a little sting to it, doesn't it?

I also know this to be true, the Lord reveals truth to us in love. What I find loving about these revelations I'm having is that it offers me hope. Hope that there are people, like my best friend, who WILL go the extra mile. Those people aren't easy to find. In fact, they're rather few and far between. But when you find them, do what it takes to keep them in your life - they're worth every effort.

So I raise my glass (of water) to being a priority to the people who matter and letting go of the ones who don't.

Love,
B