December 8, 2005 - Thursday
We got some snow today.....alright, it was pretty much a blizzard! Complete with 6 inches of fluffy white to cover the ground.
When it snowed like this last year, I remember thinking about the slick roads, the bad driving conditions, how I was trapped in the house with nothing to do, the cold wind hitting my face, scraping off my car every day (before AND after work), and all the other negative things a snowstorm entails.
But today, I must admit that I was struck by the solitude as I walked outside to brush off my car. It had been coming down for a few hours, and the roads were pretty much covered. I went out the door with my normal pessimistic mindset of scraping off the car with my hands freezing and my face turning bright red, and I still haven't figured out how to open my door without getting snow all over the driver's seat. But on my way out to the car, I noticed how quiet and still everything was outside. There were no loud cars speeding down the road, no noisy traffic, no big semis...The world was at peace and covered with a white glistening blanket that looked absolutely amazing.
Then I got to thinking....maybe a heavy snowfall is God's way of getting us to slow down a little. I don't know about other places in the country, but here in the Midwest, we are pretty accustomed to carrying off our daily tasks in any given weather (here you can use the ac and the heater in your car on the same day). Snow doesn't really stop us all that much. But even if we still go about our daily routines, we have to admit that we are nonetheless slowed down by it a little.
I know my life is always full of things to do. I have my schedule ready before I even get out of bed in the morning. Tonight, for instance, if it hadn't snowed, I am certain I would have called up the girls to see if they wanted to go to the mall or go out to dinner or something...it's just who I am. I like to be busy. That's why right now, I am watching TV, on the computer, and working on a scrapbook all at the same time. I think I have imposed a case of ADD on myself. Seriously, I cannot focus enough to get anything done in one sitting. But, with the snowfall tonight, instead of going out for a night on the town, I sat at home with my parents...we ate dinner together, watched some TV, my dad made me hot chocolate....and I would have missed out on that if it hadn't snowed.
Maybe I'll change my mind about the snow. Instead of seeing all the problems it causes me, which, if you think about them, aren't that bad, maybe I will think about slowing my life down, staying in and spending time with my family. I don't do that nearly enough.
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Monday, December 5, 2005
Archives: Searching for Mr. Darcy
December 5, 2005 - Monday
I have recently watched the new Pride & Prejudice (ok, I'll admit it, I've seen it twice and offered to go with someone for a third time...man I am a pathetic loser).It's not good for me to watch romantic movies like that. They should be required to put a disclaimer at the beginning of every sappy romance film.
Well, it's unfair for me to place that kind of responsibility on any man, no matter how perfect he is. I can't search for fulfillment in a man...men are human, they are just as messed up and vulnerable as I am. No man will ever be able to fulfill any void I have in my life.
If Mr. Darcy did really exist, what kind of relationship would that be? It would be one in which all my needs were met, I was always happy, never in want of anything. And he would not ever need anything from me. He would always find me beautiful, glamorous, and be there to provide for whatever I asked of him. Well, girls, as nice as that might sound, that is not a relationship! That is a genie, allowing you to induldge yourself without ever having any color in your life.
A relationship like this would not breed any growth, any depth, or any true commitment. It's easy to stay with someone who gives you everything you ask for and asks for nothing in return.
I am confident that God will bring my Mr. Darcy to me someday. My Mr. Darcy, however, will be slightly different from the one in the movie. My Mr. Darcy will get sick of my jokes sometimes. He will say things that hurt my feelings. He will not always see things from my vantage point and he will not give me everything I ask him for. My Mr. Darcy might be a little geeky. He will probably have trouble expressing how he truly feels. And he will fail me at times.
In the same vain, I will be his Elizabeth Bennett, but I won't always have the perfect thing to say. I won't always light up a room when I walk in. Sometimes I will yell at him, and pick and nag at the little things he does. Sometimes I will hurt his feelings. I may gain a lot of weight, or spend too much money, or not like his mother. I am certain there will be times when I am not beautiful to him (emotionally and physically).
That's the beauty of a relationship, though...Loving someone even when you don't feel like it. Pressing on when you're mad at him for leaving his socks on the bathroom floor, or farting in bed, or never helping out around the house. Sticking with it, even when you think he doesn't deserve it. And, really, that's more romantic than any old Mr. Darcy with an English accent (no matter how handsome he may be).
Love is modeled for us by our Creator. Who, in His great grace, loved us and sacrificed for us even when we didn't deserve it. We were unfaithful, disloyal, brats who gave no regard to Him...and He still loved us anyway. He loved us enough to sacrifice His Son on a cross so that we could be with him forever. Now that is romantic! And when my husband arrives in my life, I am going to choose to love Him with that same kind of love demonstrated by my Father. Afterall, the only reason we can love at all is because He loved us first.
So, ladies, go ahead an watch your romantic movies...we all love them, right? But when you watch, take in everything with a grain of salt...realizing that the world's perception of love is tainted and distorted from what we know real love is.
I have recently watched the new Pride & Prejudice (ok, I'll admit it, I've seen it twice and offered to go with someone for a third time...man I am a pathetic loser).It's not good for me to watch romantic movies like that. They should be required to put a disclaimer at the beginning of every sappy romance film.
WARNING The film you are about to see could give you a misinterpretation ofWhy is it when I watch a movie like Pride & Prejudice, I fantasize about my Mr. Darcy, coming to charm me and dash me away on a whirlwind ride to lifelong happiness? Why do I place all my hopes and longing for fulfillment in men? I start to think, I'll be truly happy when I get married...THAT is when my life will really start.
love, a longing for providence no human being can offer, and an inaccurate
perception of how relationships work.
Well, it's unfair for me to place that kind of responsibility on any man, no matter how perfect he is. I can't search for fulfillment in a man...men are human, they are just as messed up and vulnerable as I am. No man will ever be able to fulfill any void I have in my life.
If Mr. Darcy did really exist, what kind of relationship would that be? It would be one in which all my needs were met, I was always happy, never in want of anything. And he would not ever need anything from me. He would always find me beautiful, glamorous, and be there to provide for whatever I asked of him. Well, girls, as nice as that might sound, that is not a relationship! That is a genie, allowing you to induldge yourself without ever having any color in your life.
A relationship like this would not breed any growth, any depth, or any true commitment. It's easy to stay with someone who gives you everything you ask for and asks for nothing in return.
I am confident that God will bring my Mr. Darcy to me someday. My Mr. Darcy, however, will be slightly different from the one in the movie. My Mr. Darcy will get sick of my jokes sometimes. He will say things that hurt my feelings. He will not always see things from my vantage point and he will not give me everything I ask him for. My Mr. Darcy might be a little geeky. He will probably have trouble expressing how he truly feels. And he will fail me at times.
In the same vain, I will be his Elizabeth Bennett, but I won't always have the perfect thing to say. I won't always light up a room when I walk in. Sometimes I will yell at him, and pick and nag at the little things he does. Sometimes I will hurt his feelings. I may gain a lot of weight, or spend too much money, or not like his mother. I am certain there will be times when I am not beautiful to him (emotionally and physically).
That's the beauty of a relationship, though...Loving someone even when you don't feel like it. Pressing on when you're mad at him for leaving his socks on the bathroom floor, or farting in bed, or never helping out around the house. Sticking with it, even when you think he doesn't deserve it. And, really, that's more romantic than any old Mr. Darcy with an English accent (no matter how handsome he may be).
Love is modeled for us by our Creator. Who, in His great grace, loved us and sacrificed for us even when we didn't deserve it. We were unfaithful, disloyal, brats who gave no regard to Him...and He still loved us anyway. He loved us enough to sacrifice His Son on a cross so that we could be with him forever. Now that is romantic! And when my husband arrives in my life, I am going to choose to love Him with that same kind of love demonstrated by my Father. Afterall, the only reason we can love at all is because He loved us first.
So, ladies, go ahead an watch your romantic movies...we all love them, right? But when you watch, take in everything with a grain of salt...realizing that the world's perception of love is tainted and distorted from what we know real love is.
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