"All that glitters is not gold."
I wrote that on Facebook a few days ago, for so many different reasons.
One of my biggest beliefs is that we need to be authentic with one another. That's pretty hard to do on Facebook or Instagram, right? I picture people looking at my Facebook posts and seeing our happy smiling children or our vacations and beach excursions, and thinking to themselves that we must have it together. I mean in one sense, we do have an amazingly wonderful and happy life. But truth be told, we have so many struggles and hard ships like everyone else. We struggle, we fall, and we get back up again. Our glitter certainly isn't always gold. And I will be the first one to tell you that if you ask me. If you want to know about the adorable picture of my kids reading together, I will definitely share with you that before that picture was taken there was crying and time outs. Or that lovely picture of my husband and I looking perfectly happy, let's be honest we had fought and struggled for weeks with our marriage. Those pictures that we post, they are moments. Happy and perfect moments among the celebrations and crazy messes of life!
Along the same lines I have heard and read about people going through hard times. And they all wonder the same thing, "Why me, God." How come so-and-so doesn't struggle? Why do they have financial security, why do they have a perfect marriage, why do they have friends, and vacations? How come they are not mourning, dealing with depression, or fighting with others. Why? When you ask those questions, just remember, "All that glitters is not gold." I don't care who you are; everyone has something, or many things, or big messes. Everyone has hurts, hang-ups, or challenges. We all feel pain. It's inevitable. Do not let anyone make you feel inferior because they have it together. Impossible. We all live this same God-given life and it's not easy. Of course there are people that deal with challenges and sorrows far above my own realm of understanding. I can't imagine their fight. But at the end of the day, everyone lays their head on the pillow with their own insecurities, defeats, challenges, and secrets. Because that is just life. And maybe a lot of people go to bed at night with peace in their hearts and joy in their breath, that's how God wants us to live by faith, but they still bleed like everyone else.
This world is just as imperfect as it is wonderful. We all fight battles, have times of deep regret, live moments of extreme joy, lose ourselves in pain, and walk this earth with one another. Share the truths of your life with each other. And when your life is really glittery and amazing, serve others by reminding them that your glitter is not always gold. And then pour your time, love, and kindness all over them.
