As most of you guys know, I've been living in Florida for the past 7 weeks (only 2 more weeks to go!) with a Summer project called Kaleo (greek for 'the call'), learning about how to grow in my faith and be a disciple maker. And as you guys also may know, I've got a super awesome boyfriend, Cory, who I was really sad to leave for these 9 weeks.
The last date I went on with Cory before we parted ways for the Summer, I realized something really important... That he isn't perfect... but neither am I.
So sit tight, because it's story time...
Here's the situation. I'm about to head to Florida for 9 weeks and Cory is about to head to California for the same amount of time. We are about to go the longest we've ever been without seeing each other. We are literally about to move to opposite ends of the country. We were going to go on one last date before we had to leave. One last hoorah. And let me just tell you, I was pumped. It was going to be a good one, I just knew it. You know why? Because Cory told me he was going to plan it.
I was so excited. I had so many ideas running through my head...
"He's going to take me on a romantic dinner and a movie"
"Maybe we'll go on a walk and have a sweet little picnic"
I didn't know what it was, but I knew one thing, it was going to be great!
I show up after a morning full of filming ready to be swept off of my feet by my handsome steed. I was so excited to hear all the intricate details of this perfect date that he had planned. As we started driving I was giddy with excitement!
"So I was thinking..."
'Here it comes', I thought, 'this is going to be great!'
"I think it would be funny if we went somewhere like, I don't know, goodwill or something, picked out outfits for each other, and walked around the mall like that!"
Excuse me... what?
Did I hear that clearly?
Would you mind repeating that?
Oh okay... so I didn't hear it wrong...
Let's get this straight... you want to pick out an embarrassing outfit for me to wear just so we can walk around the mall while people stare at us...
Now, while that may sound like a super fun idea to a lot of people, it definitely was not my cup of tea.
Where's the romantic dinner? Where's the cute lights and the flowers?
It was at that moment that I became a diva.
I'm not going to pretend that I was just a little mad because it was more than that. This is our last date before we leave each other for 9 weeks and that's all you came up with? I was angry.
So angry that I couldn't even talk to him. I shot that idea down and we drove in silence for a little while.
This was when I had a choice to make.
So often I set my expectations for things and people way too high. Unrealistically high. And when it doesn't turn out the way I expected it too I allow it to ruin my entire day. I sulk up and start thinking about how terrible things are, and then my mind begins to think about other things to complain about which just sends me spiraling into a hole of self-pity.
The thing is, nobody is perfect. Cory isn't perfect, but he genuinely tried to come up with something fun for us to do. It isn't his fault that what he thought was a fun activity was something I was totally not into.
He's not perfect, but neither am I.
So often I let such minor things ruin my day. I turn into a brat that nobody wants to be around. I sulk around in self-pity until nobody can even stand to be near me anymore.
Those few minutes of silence in the car after Cory told me about his terrible idea came with a decision I had to make.
I realized what was happening for the first time. I realized what I was doing to myself and to Cory. I realized that I was the one ruining our day, not him.
So I prayed.
So often, we underestimate the power of prayer and the power of God to turn any given situation into a good one.
I sat in silence and I began to think of all of the things that I'm thankful for.
I'm thankful for Cory
I'm thankful for his heart towards others
I'm thankful for his leadership ability
I'm thankful for how caring he is towards me
I'm thankful for his wisdom in the word
I'm thankful for his constant support
I'm thankful for his sense of humor
I'm thankful for his willingness to do anything for me
I'm thankful that he loves Jesus
I'm thankful for the town we live in
I'm thankful for my friends
I'm thankful for my family
I'm thankful for my school
I'm thankful I'm getting to go to Kaleo
I'm thankful Cory is getting to go to California with his worship band
I'm thankful that we do get to spend this last time together before we leave
You see, when we start thinking about all of the things that we are thankful for and when we ask God to show us the good in every situation, He does. Once you start you just can't stop. The list goes on and on.
He can turn an entire situation around just like that.
He gave me a sense of peace and joy in the midst of my diva fit.
So instead of sitting in the car and sulking, I decided that our last date was still going to be a fun one. It might not be because of Cory's perfect date idea but it isn't in his job description as a boyfriend to be 100% perfect all the time.
Once I realized this truth, that he isn't going to be perfect and neither am I, I was able to look past my disappointment and take the reigns. Our last date was going to be a spectacular one.
So I did.
"How about we go to Tacos 4 Life (our favorite place to eat in Conway) then walk around downtown, maybe get some coffee, and go see a movie or something instead?"
It was as easy as one sentence. That's all I had do to.
So we did.
We ate dinner at T4L (and it was great as per usual), we walked around downtown, we had coffee at what's now our new favorite coffee place, and we just talked for hours. I couldn't tell you how long we sat in that little coffee shop but I didn't mind it one bit. We talked about anything and everything. We laughed together, we told stories, we drank coffee. Then we went to the movies and that was just as great.
We had a great day.
Do you know why?
Because I chose to allow God to step into the situation and take control. I consulted God before I let my emotions spill out of my mouth. He reminded me of all I have to be thankful for. He reminded me that Cory isn't perfect, but neither am I.
"I have learned the secret of being content in an and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (whether your boyfriend has an awesome date idea or not). I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
-Philippians 4:12-13
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
-Colossians 3:15
Let me just tell you, God can show up and turn any situation around when you choose to seek Him first.
You are beyond blessed, remember that sister.
P.S. Don't worry, I got permission from Cory to write about his bad date idea :P
-Hannah
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