We spend so much on making the outdoors look good!
Have you really stopped and thought about how much time we spend landscaping and maintaining the outside of our houses? How many people make their livelihood from making sure that the outdoors looks beautiful? Or how big the industry is that feeds into these jobs and our desires to have manicured lawns and blooming flowers?
Earlier this week, during “The Great Job Hunt” I got started really early and had some down time between interviews to get some breakfast and do some reading at a park. (I’m officially employed part time at both Banana Republic and Abercrombie!) While I was doing my work, I couldn’t help but notice how many people were working hard to make this park, the shops surrounding it and the parking lot look seemingly perfect. They didn’t want a piece of trash, misplaced woodchip, or a smudged front window to give away how many people had trodden through here the previous day.
Destin, FL is a tourist town; people come here to lie on the beaches and to shop. Obviously, there had been hundreds, if not thousands of people walk on these sidewalks or even sit on the very bench that I now occupied the day before. But these workers wanted to erase any sign of their presence from the day before.
I was really startled to realize that I actually try to do the same exact thing. I try to present myself to the world without signs of weakness, without any visual signs of trials I face, or the struggles that challenge me. Asking those close to me, you would find out that I strive to be somewhat of a perfectionist. I want life to be ‘perfect.’ I strive for perfection in all aspects of my life.
Have you really stopped and thought about how much time we spend landscaping and maintaining the outside of our houses? How many people make their livelihood from making sure that the outdoors looks beautiful? Or how big the industry is that feeds into these jobs and our desires to have manicured lawns and blooming flowers?
Earlier this week, during “The Great Job Hunt” I got started really early and had some down time between interviews to get some breakfast and do some reading at a park. (I’m officially employed part time at both Banana Republic and Abercrombie!) While I was doing my work, I couldn’t help but notice how many people were working hard to make this park, the shops surrounding it and the parking lot look seemingly perfect. They didn’t want a piece of trash, misplaced woodchip, or a smudged front window to give away how many people had trodden through here the previous day.
Destin, FL is a tourist town; people come here to lie on the beaches and to shop. Obviously, there had been hundreds, if not thousands of people walk on these sidewalks or even sit on the very bench that I now occupied the day before. But these workers wanted to erase any sign of their presence from the day before.
I was really startled to realize that I actually try to do the same exact thing. I try to present myself to the world without signs of weakness, without any visual signs of trials I face, or the struggles that challenge me. Asking those close to me, you would find out that I strive to be somewhat of a perfectionist. I want life to be ‘perfect.’ I strive for perfection in all aspects of my life.
But where is all of this focus on the outside really getting me?
No Where.
This summer I really want to take time to focus on how I can grow from the inside out. Now don’t get me wrong personal hygiene is essential…lol. But how much of the time do I spend trying to hide something? Are the circles under my eyes trying to tell a story? Is a fake laugh really covering up something deeper? What's trying to distract from the ‘real’ me?
What is it that you’re hiding from?
We all have past trials that have added to the people that we are.
God has placed trials before us so that we may trust in Him. Studying James right now I’m just simply reminded that we’re to take joy in the trials that come before us.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever
trouble comes your way,
let it be an opportunity for joy.For when your faith is tested, your
endurance has a chance to grow.So let it grow, for when your
endurance is fully developed,you will be strong in character and
ready for anything.~James 1:2-4
We shouldn’t be trying to overcome these trials or hardships on our own means. No amount of earthly care can truly mend a hurting hurt; only Christ can fill that void. Let Him in; allow Him to be the laborer that cares for your heart. No matter the amount of traffic that come through your life, no matter how hard the struggle, or deep the pain; God can renew you in the same way that the gardeners worked to bring every flower bed and landscaping back to perfection after a long day of being trampled through.
True changes don't come from surface cover ups,
but deep convictions within.
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