When I was a young mom I met a lovely woman at church who was the epitome of everything I admired.  She was smart, friendly, and kind.  She had a wonderful husband and family, an interesting job, and she was as pretty as a model.  She invited me over for lunches and we had play dates with our kids in her spacious home.  I envied her uncluttered house. I envied her huge yard.  I envied HER.   It was a struggle for me in my dumpy, lumpy, frumpy state to see her have all the things I wanted for myself and I had to pray for God to help me with my attitude.  My friend was transparent in sharing her life with me and I saw that there was nothing fake or contrived about her.  She was genuinely sweet and wise and deeply spiritual, but I found out that her life was not as simple and charmed as I thought.

She told me about her medical issues, financial difficulties, and problems with extended family members.  I was heartbroken to learn about the abuse she suffered in her childhood.  She shared her life with me as a testimony of how God carried her through her many trials.  I saw her blessings and assumed it had all been easy for her, but I didn’t know about all she went through.  It is just like when I see the pictures and events people post on Facebook which are the highlighted moments and not the whole story.

No one is exempt from trials. Christ followers do not live in an isolated blessing bubble.  I sure don’t.  People may think my life is perfect but they do not know about my hardships.  I am exceedingly grateful for what I have and I do not envy anyone their blessings because I do not know what soul-shaping events they went through that I never want to experience myself.  When the hard days come, I will praise God for my blessings, hold tight to His peace, and post my highlights on Facebook.