rolling with it

Lately it seems like a number of folks that I talk to are becoming disillusioned with life. I think I (and these folks I know) am at the stage of life when reality has really set in, and Jack Nicholson's voice echoes in my mind "what if this is as good as it gets?"

I have realized that at every stage of life, there is a whole new set of problems just waiting to be discovered. This is a universal truth -- at least in this universe. Both of you reading this now are saying to yourselves "yeah, that's pretty much a given." But there's more to it.

You see, when I am tight for money, I tell myself "well things are tough now, but when I get some money it will be better." When I was too young to participate in certain activities that seemed like such great remedies for my woes, I was sure that once I became "of age" that things would be better. When I was single, it was getting married. When the honeymoon was over it became getting a career and buying a house. When I had a mortgage and my job was consuming my life it was self-employment.

I was talking to someone I know who is 20 or so years older than me, and she was describing some of her loneliness, and as she walked through what she anticipated the next stage of her journey to be, she wasn't sure what her "next thing" would be, which was disconcerting to her. I shared with her what I had been thinking in terms of problems and all that, and then said "It's just life." She nodded her head and smiled and said "It's just life -- it helps just to say it."

Today I heard from a friend from High School who has had a pretty tough year. She described her current situation and some of the challenges, but her last line was "but, I am rolling with it."

As I get a little older, I've tried to stop thinking of the other side of the fence and it's greener vegetation. I think what has been helping Nancy and I lately has not been all the planning and fretting, but learning to deal with life as it comes. When times are good, we rejoice and thank God for the sunshine. When times are not so good, we remember the sunshine and God's goodness.

The one "next thing" that I do long for and don't have to fear disappointment is an eternity in Heaven. All the tears are gone, no more disappointment, being reunited with my Creator without my sin-scarred husk. Being fully joined in real, authentic, transparent, fearless, loving unity with those who call God "Father." That's what I can close my eyes and imagine when the day is dreary and the load is not light.