Cup of Joe+Commiserating

I've thought of writing this post for a long time, but each time I write the first sentence, I hit the delete button. I know the reason why, but you don't (or maybe you will when you finish reading it). This post was not intended to ruffle feathers, but to merely express my personal sentiments (phew, now that the disclaimer has been made, I'll proceed).

Throughout the years, I've watched my older siblings going through life, experiencing things that I can't because I'm younger. Time and time again, I put on a happy face and act all excited for them (admittedly, sometimes I fail...big time). Sometimes I really am excited, because let's face it, I have the most amazing family. Other times, the waiting gets to me (like waaay gets to me).

Whether this comes in the form of my siblings dating, going to college, growing-up, etc, I always feel one step behind. Each time they take a step to "grow-up," I lurch painfully behind. My siblings have carved an exquisite trail in front of me paved with many accomplishments. Today I'm just standing in front of the road staring at its grandeur. "Crap, how in all creation am I going to be able to follow them."

I could "christianify" this by saying: "It doesn't matter what I do except pleasing Christ." Oh dear blogosphere, that is so much easier said than done. I have many wonderful Christ-like friends, and they like to share the truth with me (and vice-versa), but can't we at some times just admit how much we fail?

My life would be miserable if I always tried to act like everything was hunky-dory. Frankly, sometimes life isn't a bowl full of cherries (where on earth did that saying come from?...I don't even like cherries). Now, please realize that I am greatly blessed; I'm not negating that fact, but that doesn't mean that my life will always be filled with success.

It's clear as day; I fail miserably, a lot. So, please stop trying to tell me that if I just look to God everything will be ok (I know it will be...really). Just sit down with a cup of joe and tell me that we've both fallen. Then, together with our gracious savior, we'll build our repentance story. We'll commiserate together, and solve the problem. End of story.

I don't think God doesn't want us to just sprinkle a little truth on a hurting person and expect them to pucker up and be fine. Just look at the book of Psalms. David hurt, and he poured it out to God, and didn't try to plaster a Wal-mart smiley face on it.

Ps. 37: my favorite

Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

² for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

⁴ Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the LORD

and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret—it leads only to evil.

⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed,

but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

though you look for them, they will not be found.

¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land

and enjoy peace and prosperity.

¹² The wicked plot against the righteous

and gnash their teeth at them;

¹³ but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

for he knows their day is coming.

¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword

and bend the bow

to bring down the poor and needy,

to slay those whose ways are upright.

¹⁵ But their swords will pierce their own hearts,

and their bows will be broken.

¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have

than the wealth of many wicked;

¹⁷ for the power of the wicked will be broken,

but the LORD upholds the righteous.

¹⁸ The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care,

and their inheritance will endure forever.

¹⁹ In times of disaster they will not wither;

in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

²⁰ But the wicked will perish:

Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,

they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

²¹ The wicked borrow and do not repay,

but the righteous give generously;

²² those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,

but those he curses will be destroyed.

²³ The LORD makes firm the steps

of the one who delights in him;

²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall,

for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

²⁵ I was young and now I am old,

yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

or their children begging bread.

²⁶ They are always generous and lend freely;

their children will be a blessing.

²⁷ Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell in the land forever.

²⁸ For the LORD loves the just

and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;

the offspring of the wicked will perish.

²⁹ The righteous will inherit the land

and dwell in it forever.

³⁰ The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,

and their tongues speak what is just.

³¹ The law of their God is in their hearts;

their feet do not slip.

³² The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,

intent on putting them to death;

³³ but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked

or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

³⁴ Hope in the LORD

and keep his way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;

when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

³⁵ I have seen a wicked and ruthless man

flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

³⁶ but he soon passed away and was no more;

though I looked for him, he could not be found.

³⁷ Consider the blameless, observe the upright;

a future awaits those who seek peace.

³⁸ But all sinners will be destroyed;

there will be no future for the wicked.

³⁹ The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;

he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

⁴⁰ The LORD helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

Happy (or not so) Thursday!