Don't Let the Perfect Get in the Way of the Good

"So we're not giving up. Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." ~2 Corinthians 4:17, The Message

I have so many things running through my head right now that it feels impossible to complete a single, seamless blog.  I wrote one earlier about defining moments in relationships---the kind that shows you who a person really is.  They either build walls between you or break down barriers that create a closer bond.  How scary it feels to be vulnerable.  But, the measure of a meaningful relationship is not proportional to the number of things in common or how much you agree, after all.  It is really about being completely understood and even loved despite your different views, life experiences and personalities.

True friends provide a reflection of ourselves that we are rarely capable of seeing on our own. For a moment, I can see in from the outside to the bigger picture and the incredible blessings right in front of me. Suddenly, I see how foolish I have been to focus on what is missing or what is flawed. Why is it so much easier, sometimes, to get caught up on the negatives?  I can hear my dad's voice saying "don't let the perfect get in the way of the good."  There is a silver lining in the struggles that molds us and shows us our desperate need for God, and for each other.

I'll Be Happy When... 

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are. After that, we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire. The truth is there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. 

It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with…and remember that time waits for no one. 

So, stop waiting… Until your car or home is paid off.
Until you get a new car or home.
Until your kids leave the house.
Until you go back to school.
Until you finish school.
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married.
Until you have kids.
Until you retire.
Until summer.
Until spring.
Until winter.
Until fall.
Until you die.
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

--Author Unknown 

This weekend was really a wonderful opportunity to put that into action and truly enjoy the people around me. And, since we both had the day off of work, we decided to drive across town to a children's museum for the kids to explore.  The place was smaller than I expected, but packed with wonderful activities.

Getting out of our routine and away from the distractions was the perfect way to reconnect and refocus. Oh, how everything seems right with the world when everything is right with the people I love.