This past week I had someone come up to me and say “wow, you are so lucky. You carry so much wisdom and joy for your young age.” While most people would take this as a compliment, say thank you and walk away, this hit different. I walked away wondering to myself if they thought I just stumbled upon this life I’m living now. If they see my life and think it’s always looked like this.
“You are so lucky”
Why am I lucky? I don’t look at my life and think “Wow, I’m the luckiest person in the world!” If anything, it’s honestly quite the opposite. I wouldn’t wish some of my own life experiences on anyone, not even my worst enemy. If they only knew what I’ve walked through to get to where I’m at they wouldn’t call me lucky. If they only knew the rejection I’ve faced, the persecution I’ve endured, and the destruction I’ve experienced; if they only knew. While I do not think there was any ill-intent in what they said to me it did make me think; it’s so easy for us to look at someone’s life and think “man, they are so lucky. They have the perfect life, dream job or large following” and we often overlook what they’ve walked through to get there.
I was walking through an art exhibit a few weeks ago in Asheville, NC and while walking through the showroom, one of the workers asked if we wanted to see the studio, a room where all the art is created. We walked past a curtain into a room that looked vastly different from the showroom we just left. It was not at all what I expected; Bottles of paint, lids, dirty brushes, towels, and canvases everywhere.
We often only see the showrooms of each other’s lives. We see the finished product, hanging on the wall, put on display for everyone to see. Don’t overlook the season of pressing they were in when you can only see the blessing they’re currently living in. We all have a story, a journey, a process we’re walking through.
If you admire the way someone is living, take a moment and ask them about their journey. I guarantee you it wasn’t by chance and they’re not as “lucky” as we think they are to be where they’re at.
Every promise has a process.
