Stay Relevant

The other day I heard someone talking to a friend about her social media and the followers that support her.  In the conversation she said, "I really need to change and mix things up so that I can stay relevant."

The phrase "stay relevant" caught me off-guard.

I'm not sure why.

Maybe it's because I feel sad that people believe they have to be more in order to gain praise or recognition. 

Maybe it's because I see truth in the phrase.  This world seems to agree with the phrase because so many things teach us that worth and value is earned and that in order to stay relevant we need to do and be extraordinary {or at least better than the person standing next to us}.

Maybe it's because at times, I find myself trying to "stay relevant" without even realizing that I am doing it.

Maybe it's because I sometimes believe that I have to earn my value in this world.  Or even worse, maybe it's because I sometimes think my kids need to do better or be better to earn their value.

That isn't easy to admit.

Is it true? Do we need to work hard to stay relevant in this cut throat, dog-eat-dog world?
Maybe we do.

In business those that work the hardest, put in the most hours, make the most sacrifices get promoted and stay relevant.

In sports we award the MVP's, the winners, the most talented.  Those that are the best get recognized for their accomplishments and stay relevant.

In school we recognize the brightest and smartest.  Those that achieve the best grades with the hardest workload get scholarships and they stay relevant.

So maybe there is some truth to the concept of staying relevant in this world because of the way things go but it makes me sad.  It makes me sad that so many are working so hard to be seen instead of just being seen for who they are.

I find peace in knowing that even though the world may operate in this fashion, God doesn't.
God is a breath of fresh air to me because I am relevant to Him regardless of anything.

So, this close to Thanksgiving {my least favorite holiday} I am grateful for always being relevant to the person who matters most.

15th Anniversary

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. 

Fifteen years ago I couldn’t have imagined what my marriage would endure, what I would endure, and what Jon would endure. If I would have been able to sneak a glimpse of what the years ahead had in store for me I would have been so scared and so doubtful in my ability to work through the hardships that I probably would have ran away and never looked back.

But… I’m really glad I didn’t. 

I am really, really glad I didn’t. 

I wonder what I will say about things 15 years from now! 

Marriage is hard, it just is. My marriage, over the last 15 years, has involved compromise and stubbornness, communication and separation, patience and frustration, hurt and pain and so much healing, hope and hopelessness, love and hate, pride and humility, anger and sadness, fear and safety, lies and honesty, judgement, forgiveness, frustration, and charity.  

Over the last 15 years our marriage has seen many dark days. We spent years fighting WITH each other while fighting FOR each other. There was a period of time when neither of us thought we could withstand the damages done in our marriage and we almost walked away. 

But somehow, with the Grace of God, things started changing and we are still here. And we kinda like each other.