A good friend recently told me,
“We are not equipped to handle the good nor the bad of the other side.”
We were having one of those deep girl talks.
The kind where you share your heart,
lay all out for the other to see.
It was one of those conversations where I confessed…
I had been looking over the fence.
Thinking…
…They have it so much easier.
…They don’t have to worry about money and where it goes.
…Their life is perfect.
What I failed to realize is that…
There are two sides to this coin.
The good
and
the bad.
We wish…
We want…
We long…
We compare…
We justify…
We judge…
Instead of looking over fences…
I was reminded to put my HOPE in the one who is,
The ONE who provides.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
{Jeremiah 29:11 NIV}
All things have gone through His Hands before even being allowed to touch us.
He has made us each unique
with our own journeys,
our own stories to tell and live.
God has already put pen to paper and has written out what will be.
Why do I try to:
re-write?
edit?
…the story He has penned.
The pages of life unfold daily, hourly, second by second.
He has already given what we need for life.
A HOPE in Him to be what, who, He has called us to be.
He has given us everything we need to handle what comes our way.
Only when I stop looking over fences for the…
Bigger…
Better…
More…
Can I truly begin to live in the GRACE He has given me for today.
But by the GRACE of God I am what I am…
{I Corinthians 15:10a NKJV}
By Nicole, Simply Created by Cole
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Such important truth not to compare our stories or want to edit or rewrite our own. Each part is necessary for tomorrow.
I am publishing a series on friendship this week and gosh how there were times when I wanted to edit out the details of a specific friendship, and others. But His grace covers and He uses it all.
Yes, Amy. Grace, all God’s Grace. I love that! It is hard not to compare, but when I am close to Him, putting my trust in Him, His grace flows through. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings, Cole
I needed to read this today. Thank you so much!
Your welcome Elizabeth! Praying your day is full of God’s blessings! Cole
I love this Nicole. Two sides of the coin. The grass is always greener until you have to pay the water bill. (Not sure where I heard that , but it always makes me giggle).
Have a blessed day finding joy in being exactly where He wants you.. . living blessed.
Thanks for your words today sweet girl.
Hi Danelle! I love that, “The grass is always greener until you have to pay the water bill.” That made me giggle too! I had never heard that one. Thank you for your kind words. Praying you have joy and blessing today. Cole
What a great message! It is so important to simply appreciate and nurture what we have right in front of us — to focus on our own journey and know that this is where we are meant to be.
Thank you Jennifer! Appreciate and nurture, I love those two words that you used. Have a blessed day! Cole
Superb message.
Jeremiah 29:11 is my life verse. I constantly try to compare myself to others, even my husband. I’m competitive and want to do more & better rather than be content with doing just what He wants.
I’m learning daily to focus on my journey and do/be the woman He want me to be.
Thanks for the lovely post!
Hi Beth! It’s one of my life verses too! Praying God daily gives guidance as you seek to become the woman He wants you to be. Blessings, Cole
I heard someone say recently, “the grass may be greener on the other side but it’s just as hard to mow!” Thanks for the reminder to appreciate where God has us today!
Thank you Holley! I love that expression too, “the grass may be greener on the other side but it’s just as hard to mow.” Thank you for sharing that! Blessings for a beautiful day, Cole
It’s funny, because I already know that God has written my life out in pen before I ever took a breath of air, before I was ever a thought in my parent’s minds. I know He has nothing but the best for me, and has and will continue to provide all that I need for this journey He’s taking me on.
But I always forget.
Thank you for blessing me with a reminder that the One I serve holds my life in His hands, in His ever-so delicate hands, and that He will never drop me from His grasp.
Thank you Nicole. I love your words. His ever-so delicate hands. Thank you for painting such a beautiful picture w/ them. It is so easy to forget, to forget that God does have our best always. That’s what is so great about His Grace… Thank you and blessings! Cole
Awesome post! This seems to be a virus that never goes away. We keep comparing our station in lives with those supposedly in better places instead of finding contentment here.
A virus it is indeed, one that threatens to make its way through all that is good if left to run. We miss so much of what God has for us, the joy He has for us when we compare. Thank you Nikole for you sweet comments. Blessings to you, Cole
It took a long, long time for me to stop looking over the fence and only worry about what I had in my own pasture. I still find myself slipping from time to time, but I get it reined in so much more quickly than before, thanks to God and His Word. Love the quotes from others about the grass being greener…hilarious!
Yes! It’s easier sometimes, I think to compare… but we can never know the details of someone elses journey the way we know our own…. Great reminder – because also, I think it is easy to forget what we have that we are just used to that someone else might desire….
I love these words from singer/songwriter Christy Nockels:
“You give us Your best, for what we thought was better…”
His Best. Ever so much better than what I thought I was wishing for.
Very profound…I think I will process my own thoughts/reactions in writing after reading your post. Thank you for sharing – it touched my heart!
Thank You Deanna for your kinds words. A friend and I were talking about this topic today too. Hoping your time spent in writing and reflection is full of blessing! Cole
Thank you for this, today. I have been feeling “forgotten” by God – because I can see him moving in others’ lives, but not my own. My past days and weeks have been lonely and frustrating. I needed this reminder today that there are two sides to the coin, and that my journey is mine alone and not to be compared with that of anyone else.
Thank you! Bless you.
Praying God’s arms wrap around you tight! You are loved and chosen by the King of Kings!! Thank you dear friend for your kind words and your heart.