I've prayed and meditated deeply over this topic I'm about to talk with you about...we all know this person...we all know that we look at those pictures with envy...desire...and the unattainable wish to "be them."
I'm here to tell ya right now...I think I'm a pretty ok mother and wife...I'm also here to tell ya...this life of mine, well, it gets messy! My children's hair is often out of place...spills are happening so often...and the last trip we took overseas....oh, yep...that was never. :-) We live a very real life...a messy life...one that just right now doesn't include posting pictures of our perfect family outside our perfect home. Although, sometimes I wish it did...
Please do not get me wrong here...I love pictures of my friends and family so much...I love the convenience that is now ....social media....but, I don't love that these social outlets...while convenient can harm our marriages...our relationships...heaven forbid....our children.....ourselves.
I see something wrong with the aimless looking...aimless scrolling through and wishing that you were in someone else's shoes. Why? Well, plain and simple...because I've been there. I can tell you I'm guilty of looking at someone's pictures and thinking "gosh...I want a house THAT perfect...THAT big...I want THAT trip they took..."
I can also tell you this...our fancy-schmancy beach pictures...aren't they just so pretty....I think I did receive a comment saying "I wish I were there..."...and yes, I'm grateful for our trip...I love the time and the fact that we have wonderful pictures to commemorate our adventure...but, through that lens that filters out the "imperfect" there's so much going on. Don't let yourself fall for what a camera lenses can erase.
I can get so envious...I'm not sure if it's just a female thing...the fact that I'm a perfectionist...or if it's just me...ok, I know it's not just me....these people that you are "friends" with...maybe they are just your virtual "friends" but, I think it's important to remember that they too are people...they too have a heart.
I have a friend from many years ago...that I haven't seen in over 10 years...yesterday I read a post from her that broke my heart and I wanted so badly to jump in the car...drive to her...and just take care of her. She had posted something about her depression...her struggle as a single mom...and filling the really big shoes of not just mom...but, dad too. There's so much real happening around you...so much more than perfect houses, vacations, and cars...while those things can be blessings...and I love to share the joy of those things with my friends...I think we ought not forget that maybe too much "perfect" can be harmful to someone that might be hurting.
Post the real...the imperfect...post something messy...something that others might be able to identify with.
I feel I need to stop here to say that in my heart and mind, there's nothing wrong with the trips...the beautiful homes...the perfect family....we all want that...and I think we should have hopes and dreams....I believe that where there is God, there is hope.....but, if you struggle with seeing what's only perfect...remember that life is still real...there are still very real struggles, and pains. There are messes...there's food in my daughters hair half the time...and Aiden...well he's a boy and messy...
I mentioned to you our beach pictures...I love them, and I hate them. While we were there...swimming...taking in the sights...letting Aiden get sand in his trunks...and watching our daughter play in the great big ocean...there was someone here, back home...struggling...and hurting...while I was busy sending pictures and posting pictures of my "perfect" vacation...there was someone here aching.
Enjoy your beautiful blessings...your home, your trips...and your children...your little world that God blessed you with...but, take heed and know that behind the lens...behind what might be perfection there is something very real.