But I don’t want to. Please don’t make me.
This can’t be happening!
My brain cannot possibly process this situation.
I don’t like feeling out of control . . .
START
If we live long enough, we experience a situation that makes our insides want to scream. We cry, we fight, we grieve . . . but ultimately, our only response — at least the only one that lets us get through the situation — is it to accept.
It’s how we get through the middle-of-the-night phone call. The one that rocks our world.
It’s how we process the shocking news from a child.
It’s how we get past the disappointment, the betrayal, of a spouse or trusted friend.
To accept sometimes feels like a cop-out.
Just accept it.
But I don’t want to!
Accept it.
But it’s not right. It’s not okay. I don’t deserve this!
Accept it.
Yes — or no? Your choice.
You get to decide whether to fight the reality for the rest of your life — or accept it, like it or not.
Acceptance doesn’t mean you condone something. It just means you want to keep living a vibrant life — not become angry or bitter.
Those around you hope you’ll choose to accept.
You can trust God for the eternal outcome.
Deep breath, friend . . .
STOP
Where did your mind go when you read my words?
As I wrote them, my mind went to my own life events — and some of yours. Sending prayers your way today, sweet friends. I’m so thankful we can meet to here to share our lives. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I’m sharing this at Five Minute Friday where writers join weekly to post their uninterrupted, unedited, five-minute writing exercise in response to a single word-prompt.
I’ve also accepted an invitation to participate in the 4th annual 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. Try saying that three times quickly! If you could see my October calendar, you’d think I’m crazy (I may be!), but my intent is to post a five-minute free write each day in October. Don’t worry… I’ll still work in seasonal thoughts and decor!
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Click on the picture to read more about it — and accept the invitation to join me! Even if you don’t have a blog or want to post anything, why not consider challenging yourself to journal these word prompts for 31 days?
If you’re interested, check out some of my previous 31-day challenges:
Wow! This is the second time I’ve been after you in FMF. It’s fun to visit your place. What did I think when I read your post. I need to accept that my car is getting way old and will continue to have hiccups. But I want a new car! Whaaaa,,,,,,,
Great thoughts here! I especially love your insight that acceptance is not condoning something, but choosing not to live in bitterness and handing it over to God. I can certainly think of situations where I have found peace by doing that. I’m doing Write 31 Days too (though not using the prompts) and I’m joining you in looking at my October calendar and thinking I must be crazy! I wasn’t planning to do it this year until God gave me a topic that refused to go away.
I have begun to look forward to these Friday posts. It is part of my day.
Aw, thank you, Patricia. What a nice thing to say!
Love this, Susan. And you’re so right; accepting is not the same as condoning.
This led me back to a lot of things that I would rather not describe…but my terminal illness is, oddly, not one of them. I both accept it and condone it, because there is a clear job to be done, and the process of dying is a prerequisite for having the job in the first place.
Not a job I would have chosen, but being able to bring hope out of blood and tears is pretty darn awesome.
Interesting that I opened this blog to see the exact area that I have been wrestling with lately. I am resolved to (actually) peel some things from the sticky edges of my fingertips and accept some things as they are. Still stumbling into periodic lamentation, but there seems to be longer blocks of time between the pity parties. I’m counting that joy.
And yes… your friends generally want you to accept. It makes it so much easier for them if you do.
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Periodic lamentation with longer periods between the pity parties… I get that! Sometimes it’s the best we can hope for as we continue to pray the spaces of healing become longer and longer. Sorry you’ve been struggling, my friend, but choosing to count it as joy sounds like a great choice! (By the way, it’s really a nice surprise to see you here this morning.)