This post was written earlier in the week as part of a five minute online writing challenge that I like to do now and then. The prompt word was WANT:
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I read this on instagram yesterday.
“Grateful that some things didn’t work out the way I once wanted them to” (myinspired mind)
Oh me too. Aren’t we all.
Yet we were so sure at the time that we knew exactly what we wanted – that person, that job, that home, that opportunity, that group of friends, that phone call – and not at all impressed that it didn’t go to plan. Yet looking back later, much later sometimes – so grateful that there was a different plan.
But there’s lots I want right now.
I want to do things that matter.
I want to contribute.
I want to be a good mother and wife.
I want to be thinner.
I want a lovely cushy “statement” rug for the lounge room floor.
I want fire warming the house each night during these wintery months.
I want to see England and America, and Italy and – – – –
I want to have more adventures with my kids.
I want an uncluttered, comfy house.
I want to write good words.
– – – – and that’s the short list.
Some wants hold more weight then others, some run deeper. Some get me up in the morning and have me doing things I don’t necessarily feel like doing. Some take work. Some have me putting other wants aside for a while. Others are sweet day dreams, “one day”, “all in good time”, “won’t it be nice when” kind of wants. Then there are those that are deep down where only God can see – the ones that make you cry – the contour of them only God knows.
I’m not sure “want” is the dirty word we often think it is. Wanting keeps us looking and foraging and mining the depths of what’s possible. Wanting keeps us growing and changing. I think God created us rich and diverse and hungering.
But we don’t want it to ruin us. To make us miserable and ungrateful. We don’t want it to blind us to how good and rich where we are right now is, even when its not all good.
Maybe the wanting isn’t really the issue.
Maybe its what we do when we don’t get what we want. What we do when we think its all gone pear shaped. It’s what we learn and how we navigate this life when we don’t necessarily get what we want in the colour or shape or size we ordered it in or it just doesn’t arrive at all. And right there is where most of our living is done – in the place we never planned for, the unwanted zone.
But its where the magic can happen all the same. Where the near to God-ness can truly happen. Where we can find more and better and true-er than what we thought we wanted. Where our hands get dirty and our hearts get broken yet we come through wholer than what we were anyway.
David found out about wanting at the sharp and pointy end of life. Found out that he could be good and OK and not needing a thing right now because he had God with him. We can assume these words were said by one at their ease, fully satisfied by life rather than one running for his life, alone, accused, defenceless , all at a loss – – – – but God. A man who out the depths of a place he had never planned or wanted to be, was able to say “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”. Now there’s a thing or two I’ll spend my lifetime learning.
Not what we would choose, not what we want – – – – – but just as well we don’t always get what we want.
I wrote this (to you) recently (not in five minutes):
We would choose an easier way with saner people if it was up to us. We would choose less heart wrenching, less exhausting and less scary. We’d choose people we could get a handle on, not so messy and mixed up. We’d choose bigger and better and looking good while we do it. We’d choose things we feel more qualified for.
So just as well we don’t always choose, because we’d choose the easy way and we would never find out what we are made of, we’d never reach deep, we’d never lay hold of the miracle of God in us and God flowing out of us. We’d never discover that it’s not just about us, that it’s so much more. We’d never discover what He has put us here for, we’d miss the eternal – – – – we’d miss the whole point of it. On Making a Difference
Love to you all today
Tracey xx
Friday Night Connect
6.45pm
This week Helen Smith will be sharing with us and we know what a great lady she is so please come along and enjoy coffee, cake and good encouragement.
Winter Warm Up ~ Yayyy!!!
Saturday the 23rd July, Laurel Room,
Ribbonwood Centre, Dapto.
12.30pm
We are continuing our theme of “find yourself amongst friends” so please invite a friend, relative, neighbour or anyone who might enjoy a warm and welcoming reprieve on a winter afternoon that includes yummy wintery soups and desserts. Invites available Sunday.
What’s your thing?? ~ there are lots of ways you can be involved in making this a beautiful afternoon so please let me know if you can do any of the following.
~ Bring along a favourite soup or a delicious dessert
~ Help spread the word via your social media
~ Help with set up and decoration
~ Help serve and look after our guests during the event
~ Help with pack up