Monday, January 5, 2015

Looking for Rose Colored Glasses

I feel like this last year I was the poster child for prayers being answered with a resounding ‘No!’  I am tired of it.  Why bother praying??

Pray for better health?  Get Gout and the Plantar Fasciitis that I've had for a while gets worse.  Toss in two root canals that don’t seem to have been effective and a breast biopsy that sent me into a panic attack.  And I’m not even going to complain too loudly about the flu with which I welcomed in the new year.

Pray for financial relief?  Find out second root canal and most of breast biopsy aren't covered by insurance.

Pray the family members’ health issues get better?  Sis and Dad both needed surgery and MIL gets Shingles!

My poor Advent Prayer Buddy is screwed.  I’m sorry.  I really am.  Expect the opposite.

I know I am sounding like a two year old.  But, no, my two year old niece reacts better to the answer ‘No’ than I am at the moment.

If you thought I wrote the above when I was in a bad mood you would be correct.  Life isn’t all that bad.  It just has its moments.

And that got me thinking. . .

Have you ever known a person who can find every reason why something can’t be done or won’t work?  I have known a few and they are a real drag to be around.  No matter what suggestions you offer to their ever-growing and long list of complaints, nothing is good enough, nothing is worth trying.

I don’t ever want to become that person.

I sometimes think that the title I chose for this blog  doesn't convey the most positive message.   Its focus is on what wasn't answered, what wasn't received.  And, that is deceiving because often what we get is so much better than we could have ever imagined.

I am not sure where this blog is heading, but it feels like now is the right time to change things up a bit.   Time for a new look and a slightly new title.

What If. . .

What if anything I possible?  What if all prayers are answered in the best possible way?  What if we look for what is there rather than what is missing?

What if. . . I try this out for a while?  I just may like it. 

We'll see.


“It is ludicrous to suppose that the more sceptical we are the more we see good in everything. It is clear that the more we are certain what good is, the more we shall see good in everything.”  
Heretics  GK Chesterton

AMDG

9 comments:

  1. I love the new look and the new title! Believe me, I hear you on the frustrations of things not turning out in a certain way, and I don't think it's bad to have a moment. (Better not be, or some of my fits will put me in a world of hurt!) But I love how you're choosing to embrace whatever it is that God has for you in the midst of confusion and frustrations.

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  2. I think this new look and new direction are beautiful!

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  3. I like the new look as well and I love your thoughts....I often ask "What if?" as well. I think that is life and I hope the biopsy came out okay. I would panic as well.

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  4. Another awesome Chesterton quote! Really like the new approach. Looking forward to following your journey in 2015. :) And hoping that you hear a fair bit less of "NO" in this new year.

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  5. No offense to you, but "What if all prayers are answered in the best possible way?" sounds far too much like Panglossian optimism to me. I hope things get better soon!

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    1. Perhaps the way I worded that sentence it came across as blind and naïve, but I don't think that is the case at all. I know life is hard and the world can be a tough place, but I am choosing to believe that the way in which my prayers are answered is what God has deemed the best for me. If I focus on the "no" I am sure to become bitter and resentful. It's okay to have to moments of anger and disappointment but to stay in that mindset is deleterious.

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  6. I like the new look and title to the blog. :) Seeking for the best in things.

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  7. That first paragraph is similar to things I've thought and wanted to write. Its so easy to get stuck in the no. Loving the new look and directions and looking forward to see what it brings!

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  8. I love your new blog look!! I don't think anyone can be positive all the time, but it is good to be reflective. I don't think you'll ever turn out to be a "negative Nelly". :-)
    Great post!!
    I like your response to Stephanie Z in the comments (and I knew what you meant in the post), when you said, "I am choosing to believe that the way in which my prayers are answered is what God has deemed the best for me."

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