Quick fixes don't build character.

Monday, we meet again. 

Yesterday was one of those days where thoughts and emotions all bombard you at once. For one, it was Father's Day, and for the first time in my life, I was unable to talk to mine on that day. I wasn't sure how I'd be feeling once the day finally arrived, but it was okay. I had moments of sadness mixed with moments of comfort, mixed with an array of other indescribable feelings. For the most part, I tried not to focus on how I was feeling. I didn't really focus on anything. I just went through each moment as they came. 

I woke up, showered and fed Raven while J started getting ready. We talked for a bit while picking out clothes for church, and I threw some chicken in the slow cooker before heading to Passion City. Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks was the guest speaker for the day, and the things he spoke about in regards to the highs and lows of life reminded me that everyone (no matter how famous you are, no matter how much money you have, even if you're getting paid to do what you love) is on a journey, and it's not always easy. It gets better. Then it gets rough. Then it might get a little better, but not as good as before, but then it can get better than ever.

This seems especially true when it comes to race relations in our country. The shooting in Charleston affected me, pained me, and I could hardly hold back the tears when our pastor spoke about it. I re-watched The Butler on Netflix a few days ago, and I was so saddened by some of the scenes, even more so than the first time I watched the movie. The riot and protest scenes portrayed events from over 50 years ago, but we are reliving those same moments today. Here we are, a half a century later, still facing issues our fathers and grandfathers faced. If only there were a simple vaccine to the disease. 

If only there were an antibiotic we could take to fix everything wrong in our lives: ingrown fingernails, depression, leaky faucets, period cramps, insomnia, eating disorders, clogged gutters, student loans... Wouldn't it be nice if penicillin was the cure? Thankfully, THANKFULLY, there is no such thing as a quick fix. Quick fixes don't build character. It's a process. It takes time. Sometimes you lose people you love along the way. Sometimes you find yourself questioning civil injustices. Sometimes you find clarity and hope. Sometimes you lose that hope, only to regain it again. As my husband would say, it is what it is. 

We're both raising a glass of white zinfindel to the process this evening, and together, we're setting one single goal for the week:

• to let happiness and joy be our strength

    ♥