“Easier said than done”, or in my case, “easier blogged than believed”. It’s ever so much easier for me to write about wise ways to live than it is to actually live them out in my daily life.
The other day my son came in the room while I was working and asked what I was doing. I told him I was editing my book to get it ready for publication. His response? “You’re writing a book?” I told him that indeed I was and that maybe he should read a few of my blogs sometime. His next response? “I don’t need to read it. I live it.” I suggested that he go ahead and read it because my blogging self is much wiser and more put-together than the mom sitting before him.
In any case, I am embarrassed to admit how different my written responses and my natural life responses can be.
Today I am choosing to do it differently. I caught myself early in the day, so thankfully, I just might be able to have a day that I don’t end up regretting by bedtime.
I found myself anxious and worried about a variety of things that are not going my way (translation: things are not going the way I think they should go for those around me). I don’t understand decisions or actions that have affected or been made by people I love. And to be honest, I am sort of honked-off about it. Well, at first I was sad. I cried a little and did a lot of whimpering and whining in God’s direction (I’ll get to the part about how I am doing it differently in a minute).
I’d been planning to write this morning, so this was really throwing a wrench in my plan for a lighter subject. But as usual, God uses my poor reactions and bratty behavior to help other people either avoid it for themselves or help them realize “they’re not the only one.”
So, to get to the point of how I am choosing to do it differently…
I choose to “act as if.” I will “act as if” I actually trust God and His plan–his plan for me and for those I love, and even for those I don’t like very much.I used to think that meant I was being inauthentic or fake. But I have come to understand it as a gesture of gratitude and trust–an acknowledgement of the track record that God and I have developed. One in which he actually does take care of me. Every. Single. Time.
I can write/say that I trust that God knows the big picture and has a plan that is bigger than the details of my life.
I can write/say that sometimes difficult circumstances and disappointments can lead me to maturity and growth that can be experienced in no other way.
I can write/say that I can live with a sense of joy and serenity, even when my life doesn’t look like what I wish it looked like.
I can write/say that I don’t have to be in control of everything and everyone in order to feel secure. But…when push comes to shove, I have to confess to you that I have spent many a day tangled up in knots of fear, worry, anxiety and despair.
I forget to “act as if” all my words, whether written or spoken, are actually true.
As I said, today I choose to try a different route. One that might lead me to the peace that passes understanding.
And if I practice “acting as if” often enough, it will bridge the gap between how I want to live and how actually live.
…And maybe I won’t have to “act” anymore.
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