Yesterday I got an e-mail from Snapfish that all their photobooks were 50% off through Tuesday. I'd been wanting to make one about our Syrian trip so I've been busy working on that. Thankfully I had most of my pictures already uploaded to Snapfish because it has taken a looooong while to do what I've been doing already. It's fun to review my pictures and create a book though. I am nearly done.
I'm still reading A Thread of Truth that I mentioned yesterday. Here is another part from the book that struck a chord with me as I read it today.
In speaking of people comparing their bad fortune with the supposed good luck of others, Ivy states:
"I realized that I'd been comparing the inside of my life with the outside of everyone else's; measuring my own fortunes against the cheerful how-are-you-I'm-fine facade that people put on for each other. At least in a small way, everybody lies about who they are because you don't have to be alive very long to understand that, in spite of what they say, most people don't give two nickels for the problems of others. No one in her right mind is going to bare her soul to someone else unless she is reasonably sure that person really cares and can be counted as a true friend." (pg. 131)
Seems valid to me! How many times has your world been falling apart and your insides were churning, yet someone asked "how are you?" and your automatic response was "fine" or something equally not true? Thank God for true friends who want to hear the true state of your life and for those who love you and encourage you through the tough times.
I think I'll go check to see if the football game is over yet.
3 comments:
(How many times has your world been falling apart and your insides were churning, yet someone asked "how are you?" and your automatic response was "fine" or something equally not true? Thank God for true friends who want to hear the true state of your life and for those who love you and encourage you through the tough times.)
Susanne, dear you said it all in these lines. i never told anyone anything when i got this question but fine, thanx god. sometimes i am crying and asked by someone the same question and i answered by fine. i think most people don't want to know the real answer, they are just being polite. and to not be rude i just answer fine.
I think it's very true that we compare our inner struggles with people's apparent outer state of being.
We don't know by looking at what someone has or by their smile if their parent was just diagnosed with cancer or if their sister's spouse just left them or if their husband is going to come home tonight and say he is laid off. We don't always know.
It would benefit the world much to take the time to notice the answer "fine". I usually say "fine" when I'm not fine and say "good" when I'm really just "fine". LOL and say great when I'm good. ;)
Rarely is fine just fine. Many times I've personally waited a few minutes until others aren't around and pulled that person aside and said, you know, I'm not quite convinced you're fine, what's going one. Do you need to talk? Can I pray with you?
If we take the time to do that, I think we'd realize that our troubled times aren't the exception, that we have so many others around us that can relate and that can offer their support and understanding.
MuSe, (hugs!) Me, too. But it's always nice when you have someone come by who really DOES care and wants to hear your heart. But, boy, are they rare. :-/
Carmen, LOL...so you slightly exaggerate things, huh? :-D
Yes, I can so relate to what you said. Even now sometimes I think, "Now why does MY family have so many problems when so and so seems to have perfect children and they all serve God, blah, blah, blah." I do that too much some days. :-/ But you are exactly right...who knows what REALLY is going on in X's life. Great point.
That's so sweet that you are one of those who digs deeper in order to hear someone's struggles and pray with them. What a wonderful trait!
Thank you both for your comments. I enjoyed them!
Post a Comment