Thoughts on hosting 23-year-olds …

This past weekend, my dear friend’s daughter was married. It was a wonderful, wonderful weekend and I was thrilled just to be invited to attend.

But then our family received a double blessing! We were asked to host some of the friends of the bride and groom. What a blast! AND a gentle rebuke too …

You see, I just LOVED being around these young people. SO idealistic. SO hopeful. Married for maybe one or two years. Still excited about life, the Lord, their spouses. Working hard. Studying hard. Wondering where the Lord will lead them. Enthusiastic. Energetic.

So NOT jaded. So NOT cynical.
So amazingly HAPPY.

I thoroughly enjoyed being around them AND I was gently rebuked too …

You see, I thought to myself, “I used to be happy.” And I think I really did.

I wasn’t sugary-sweet Pollyanna-everything’s great happy … but even with the trials and tribulations and sufferings of life, I had a spiritual center of sorts. I was grounded. I was blessed. Hessed. Happy.

And it hit me being around these “kids” (who I know are grown ups but MAN! I’m feeling my 36 years these days.) … that I’ve lost that happiness. Hopefulness. Center.

I’ve become kind of jaded. Cynical. With an edge. Ticked off.
Ungrateful. Judgmental. Mad.
 And very, very UNTRUSTING.
Not too happy. Not at all.

It was as wonderful, painful, gentle, loving rebuke to be around these hopeful and happy kids.
And I am praying for the grace to remember anew, each day, afresh … how good and true and real and wonderful it is to be known by God. Forgiven. Adopted. Delighted in.

And that one day, we’ll get to go Home forever.
And that it’s ALL so much better than I could EVER EVER deserve.

I’m feeling a little happier these days.
Thank God!
I do.