It’s 5 Minute Friday again, that day of the week when women from all over come together and write about one topic for five, unedited minutes. Want to join in? Check it out HERE. Today’s word is EASY.
I want things to be easy. Remember Charlie Brown? When people would ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always said, “Happy.” I can relate to Charlie Brown, but my answer to that question has always been fun and peaceful.
But life isn’t always peaceful, and it is certainly not always fun – or even mostly fun, if I’m completely honest. I don’t know how many things I’ve missed out on because I prefer easy over hard or difficult. I don’t know how many opportunities that passed me by because I wasn’t willing to do hard.
I’ve noticed, though, that all the truly worthwhile things aren’t easy.
Parenting – definitely not easy. I guess it’s a good thing that nobody really knows what to expect. No matter how many books you’ve read or how much you’ve tried to prepare, nothing can really prepare you for the complete life change children bring into your life. Nobody can explain to you the pain you feel when you child hurts or the angst you go through if you have to watch them struggle at all. And while parenting is fulfilling and I love my kids and wouldn’t trade them for the world, nobody can say it’s been exactly easy.
Marriage – despite the warmy fuzzies you have walking down the aisle, it doesn’t take long to realize you have to fight for a good marriage. I know, everyone thinks THEY will be the exception to this rule that marriage is hard work because they REALLY love each other. I just smile and nod when young couples gush about how wonderful and perfect and beautiful their lives will be together. They have no idea, but that’s okay. And there will be some awesome, wonderful moments, but those moments don’t happen because marriage is easy.
Fulfilling your calling – definitely not easy, no matter what anyone wants to tell you. I’m not sure where we got the idea that if we are truly doing what God wants us to, it will be smooth sailing. That message certainly isn’t in the Bible at all. Look at Paul. He basically took the Gospel to the Gentiles and wrote over half of the New Testament, but his life was anything but easy. He often took the hard road, even when he knew it would be hard from the start to do what God called him to do.
No, life is not easy, but I want it to be. I’m learning though that pushing through the hard stuff is the only way to have a life that is actually worth living.
Blessings, Rosanne
6 Comments on 5 Minute Friday – EASY
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Hi, Rosanne,
We are of the same mind this week on the not-so-simple topic of EASY. I love the smiling acknowledgement to young couples. (I feel that way about young moms at times). I guess if we had an idea of what was to come, most of us would choose the easy route. Ever grateful to read your wise words this week. In the spot after you this week. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Christina! I’m glad we are FMF neighbors, too. 🙂 I guess God knows what He is doing by not showing us the future. I would have missed out on a lot of wonderful things for fear of the not easy things.
I just commented on another blog that prompted the same thought: The things that matter in life aren’t easy. But, you’re right, pressing through is really living. We’re certainly better off for it. Glad I linked up near you at #FMF today. Happy Friday!
Hi Kristen – thanks for stopping by today from FMF. Glad we were neighbors. I have been most blessed by doing the hard stuff. Happy Friday to you too! 🙂
That’s right! I’m finding that as well. We have pretty easy lives and we must push through the hard stuff to get what God has planned for us!
Thanks for sharing! Stopping by from FMF # 38 ~ Happy Friday to you!
Thanks for stopping by Rachel! I love FMF and all the new people (and their blogs) I get to meet through the link up. Hope you have a great weekend!