A Bright Spot

It is now August 10th, seven months after Jennifer and I officially became part of a committed relationship. The last seven months, or nine months since we met, have been fun, exciting, trying, stimulating, and engaging at some point or another along the way. Some people have a check list of what they want in a significant other and at some point have to evaluate that person to see how he or she matches up with the expectations and/or standards set forth beforehand. For me, though, I have yet to find a reason to go to the paper to see if she is worth it. I know she is.

Jennifer makes me smile and makes me laugh. She engages me and supports me. She also makes me think. In my humble opinion, all of these things (and more) are needed for a healthy relationship. I’m thankful for the ways that Jennifer has helped make me a better and more well-rounded person. I’ve learned a lot from her, and I’m sure there are many more lessons to come (and I welcome them!) Sure, some of that may come from her “more experienced” status as an adult (to put it nicely), but that’s beside the point. Haha! Just yoking! She is only 25 years old, and I turn 24 years old in twenty days. So those who want to call her a cougar, well… by all means, go ahead! But when it comes to “robbing/rocking the cradle,” I’d say not so much. Am I that young? I like to think I don’t act or live like such.

Either way, I hope and expect that Jennifer and I will continue to push each other to become better people constantly. That encouragement and drive to never settle for mediocrity or a quasi-content, semi-productive life is something that I appreciate and look forward to. I’ve always said that someone is not right for you if neither of you have anything to contribute to help make the other a better person. I’ve found that in every aspect of our lives, Jennifer and I have pieces of ourselves that can be used to help shape the other into a better person; and I hope that we both continue to push each other to want to be better, more enjoyable, more thankful, more humble, friendlier Christians.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not talking about making or telling somebody to change. (No one should ever straight-up tell his or her significant other to do or stop doing something of which he or she is uncomfortable or unsupportive doing.) I’m just stressing the importance and invaluable meaning of both individuals being comfortable and courageous enough with each other to bring up improvement opportunities, and both understanding the other’s motives in doing such. This is not really a reflection of Jennifer and me in any specific aspect of our relationship or individual lives, nor am I lecturing or bragging about anything. I just think, in general, this principle is one that must be present, in some capacity, in every friendship and every relationship. When we stop engaging each other, when we stop pushing, when we stop caring about the betterment of ourselves and those around us (without being judgmental), that’s when things begin to crumble.

I want to be liked by everyone. I want to please everyone. I want to be enjoyable company for everyone. But in reality we know that’s not possible. Even Jesus, the One and only purely perfect Person to walk this planet and who never sinned, was despised and killed. (Woh! Step back. I don’t want anyone to think I’m making myself out to be like Jesus. No way! Sure, I always 100% strive to live my life as Jesus did and as Jesus would today, and to give Him the glory in all things; but in no way am I drawing similarities between the two of us for my own “praise”). So being perfect, other than Jesus, is not possible. But can we continually strive to be a pleasing, beneficial presence when amongst friends, family, and strangers alike? You betcha! I want to grow old knowing that I did things the right way, treated people how I (and they) wanted to be treated, made life better and more meaningful for others, and had a limited number of (or no) regrets about the decisions I made along the way. I think the last one (no regrets) is nearly impossible since hindsight is always 20/20, but it’s something for which we can always strive; Think through every decision and every phase of our lives so that when we surpass the hurdles and issues that come our way, we can be satisfied not only with their results but also how we handled them.

Anyway, I’m kind of getting off track. Today I want to talk about Jennifer and the bright spot she has been in my life. There is not much darkness here, but she has really brightened up the dim areas. I remember a little while ago when Jennifer thanked me for being in her life. One of my parents, I think my mother, saw that and, in turn, thanked Jennifer for being in my life. I think it speaks volumes about Jenn that even others can see the difference and spark she has been able to contribute to my little world. :-)

Smile! May God continue to bless you.