It is pretty obvious—the accompanying photo shows a bunch of oranges cut in half. All the same, right? However, look closer. The number and placement of seeds is different. The amount of pulp is different. The intensity of color is different.
Why then, is it important to understand that what may seem the same is not always the same?
It’s all about people. You. Me. Aunt Martha. Grandpa Brown. Each of us is a human being. Each of us have mostly the same physical characteristics and body parts.
And yet, it doesn’t take much to realize that although you and I share a multitude of what might be considered the same, there are aspects unique to our person. You like to hike. I enjoy trying new recipes. You get your energy from lots of people—extrovert. I get mine from periods of quiet or silence—introvert.
Let’s take this a step further. It’s all about relationships.
How many of us have had incredible life experiences that imprinted us forever? The fun, albeit a bit wild and crazy family vacation that included everyone from the tiniest to the eldest. The giggly snuggles at bedtime with a small child, or maybe, we were the small child. The school dance with the then love of our life. The frequent phone calls and visits of a certain someone who made even the most mundane interesting.
Now pause for a moment and consider these relationships in a different light. What if we [unconsciously] believe we can recreate the same kind of experience with another person, event, or circumstance? What if we are determined to make the new situation just like the old one?
Years ago, I was blessed with a relationship that was special in so many ways. When life happened and things changed—as is inevitable for all of us—it took me awhile to acknowledge that deep down I wanted a new friendship that closely resembled the previous one. Impossible. The truth is, I could appreciate the aspects of that relationship that made it special—vulnerability, kindness, accessibility. and so forth—however, those qualities would look very different with another person.
It is not always easy to admit we want what we want. Or what we think we want. Or that we want things to stay the same.
On the other hand, when we open ourselves to the wonderful possibilities that unfold as we allow ourselves to let go of our expectations, we may be truly surprised at how God gives us the desires of our hearts. Which, by the way, usually turn out to be a far greater blessing than any we could come up with on our own.
Do I want things or relationships to stay the same? Why?
How do I feel when life happens and the same isn’t the same anymore?
Can I trust God knows what is best for me?
