MISS ELAINI OUS

She walked in the door and I could see that it had been a rough day.  Tears were close to the surface.  It was one of those days you dread but you know you have to go through anyways.  She’d done the hard thing though and I was so proud of her for it.  Victory

Another friend called almost in tears she was so upset about some relational things going on in her life.  But she’d made it through the week and I was proud of her.  Victory

I sent a birthday message to a sweet friend and I knew it was a hard day because another birthday for her just marked another year still sick.  I was so proud of her for persevering.  Victory.

I’m part of this awesome blogging group on Facebook.  Someone posted today that her post had been pinned by someone else.  She was excited and rightly so.  Day after day I get on there and I see people celebrating things like getting to 400 followers on Instagram or figuring out how to run a new part of their blog.  Everyone joins in on the fun.  Here’s what I’ve realized through all these posts.  I’ve realized that celebrating the little things is super important.  I’m learning that we need to celebrate even the seemingly tiny wins.

So when my friend walked through the door almost in tears (and after a good long hug) I pulled out some fancy glasses and a bottle of Martinelli’s.  “We’re going to celebrate!”  “Celebrate what?”  “We are going to celebrate the fact that you did something that was really hard for you even when you didn’t want to do it.  And we are celebrating that it’s behind you!”  “Now?”  “Yes, now!”  So we poured the Martinelli’s and immediately her demeanor started to change.  We may have even pulled out some chocolate too since we wanted to make sure we really celebrated. 😉

Tears turned to laughter.  My friends, life is hard and messy and can cause a lot of pain.  Sometimes it’s easy to just get bogged down in all that but today I hope you don’t.  From here on out I hope you find the little things to celebrate even if it’s just getting out of bed.  For some people that’s a huge accomplishment.  (I know from years of being sick in high school or from others who’ve been through depression.)

You see it’s the little things that go unnoticed that actually end up making the most impact in how you live.  To some people having 400 followers on social media or making it through the week might not mean much but to others it could actually mean a great deal.  Instead of always wanting the next big thing what if we celebrated the little victories right were we are?  What if we chose to see that all the little victories add up to a life that celebrates that we get to be here.  You can either look a the glass half empty or half full but I hope you look at is as half full of Martinelli’s.  I hope you keep a bottle of it in your fridge at all times so that you’re prepared to celebrate the little wins.  I promise it will change your perspective.  Find something to celebrate today.  Find a friend that needs some encouragement and celebrate them.  It really is the little things in life that make the difference.  Cheers!

P.S. I just want to say to any Christians that since Jesus defeated death and we are now his there is ultimate victory in what he has done.  Let this fact cheer your heart today!

You know that moment when you open up social media and there in front of you is someone with a post showing you exactly what you want but don’t have and they do?  I know I’m not the only one that’s had this happen!

Recently this happened to me in such a specific way that it pierced my heart.  A sweet girl had accomplished a dream that was so crazy similar to mine that it was hypothetically spelled out the same way.  I’d worked toward that specific dream a few years ago only to have door after door shut in my face.  It wasn’t the right time.  It wasn’t the right season.  But seeing her accomplish what I had longed for and had fought for was painful in that moment.  To top it off the opportunity had been dropped in her lap.  It’s hard for me to admit this to you.  Yet the reality is I was resentful.  I wasn’t upset with her but I was upset that I didn’t have it too.  It’s not that I didn’t want her to have it but I wanted both of us to.

People will get what you want and you wont.  That’s the simple fact.  But what do we do when someone gets exactly what you want?  How do you deal with that?  I’m not here to say I have all the answers on this one but I do hope to encourage your heart.

What happens to be the best story for one person isn’t always the best story for another.  As a Christian woman I ultimately believe that God is in control yet so often my life shows otherwise.  Typically I like my life as long as it’s going according to my plan.  God graciously reminds me again and again that his plan while different is always best.  He doesn’t just do things for my good but my best! That’s really amazing if you think about it.  If you trust Jesus with your life then you can rest assured that the God that knows every single outcome is picking the best one for you.  Let me clarify, this doesn’t mean that it will feel best.  As my mom says, “Lord can you please give me a blessing and not one in disguise?”  The reality is that sometimes blessings do come in painful ways.

So what do we do with these painful circumstances and denied desires?  We are longing.  Every one of  us is longing for something and even if we do get it then it will be replaced by a new longing…unless we are satisfied.  Those longings can remind us that we are ultimately longing for heaven and Jesus.  He allows denied desires to point us to him.  Because he’s the only thing that can satisfy.  He’s the infinite good we’re looking for.  He’s the ultimate purpose we crave.  He’s the beauty our hearts seek.  He’s the worth we are trying to find.  Let those denied desires draw you close to the heart of God.  Let those longings turn your gaze to the One who can actually satisfy them.

The story isn’t over.  This isn’t the ending.  Sometimes God allows us to eventually get the desires we see others getting and sometimes he doesn’t.   Either way we can calm our hearts knowing that he loves us enough to do what’s for our best.

This week on my walk I had an experience that I just can’t stop thinking about.  It stopped me in my tracks and honestly let me feeling a touch of sadness.  “I’m invisible.”  Those were the words he spoke.

It started with my mom and I doing our normal walk route.  Part way through we saw a small group of four people chatting and admiring the most gorgeous huge white haired dog.  We smiled and kept going but a few blocks later we met the same man and his dog.  It was hot out and we were in a hurry to get home but due to the way we crossed paths the dog stopped us and we politely petted him.  We made small talk about the dog and my mom asked the dog’s name.  We’d made eye contact with the owner and exchanged pleasantries.

Somewhere in our conversation he said that short phrase that broke my heart, “I’m invisible to most people.”  I asked him his name and his jaw fell open.  “Not once has anyone asked my name when I’m out,” he responded.  And then I’m pretty sure my jaw fell open.  When I reached out to shake his hand the look of complete shock was something I hope I never forget.  This man thought he was invisible to people.  And that’s not okay.

It reminded me of another time last year when I was standing in line at an event and while I was waiting I asked the man who was helping orchestrate things how his day was going.  He just looked at me surprised and said I was the first person (at the end of a line of 200 people!) that had asked him anything about himself that day.  That’s not okay.

How many times in my hurry and rush do I forget about people?  How many times do I not stop to see those who are right in front of me.  Because honestly it only takes a few seconds but it matters.  People shouldn’t be invisible.

I can’t remember where but I do recall reading an article that talked about how sales people are often just asked questions about things all day and rarely does anyone even say hi first.  They just dive in with their questions of “what aisle can I find this?” or “can you help me with…”  I know I’ve done it.  Ever since then I’ve tried to remember to say hello first and even ask how their day is going.  One time I forgot and just started in with all my questions to the check out lady and then remembered mid sentence and stopped and said, “You know I didn’t even say hi, hello!”  And she thanked me because she said most people don’t.  See the theme here?  People because invisible to us so quickly.

Maybe you feel invisible today.  Maybe you feel like everyone else’s life is going beautifully and you’re just over there feeling unseen and plodding along.  I want to tell you today that you are seen and known and NOT invisible.  The God of the universe knows your name and he cares.  You’re not forgotten.  Your life matters.  So today this is my little love note to whoever needs it to say I’m so glad you exist.

And for all of us I hope that whomever we come in contact with will know that we truly see them.

Do you feel invisible?  If so please leave a comment below so I can give you a virtual hug!