Pinterest Perfect

Dark wood dining table, white couches, mint details. Old windows frame perfect wedding pictures. Burlap pillows sit invitingly in a window seat.

I am invited in, and while I smile at my friend, I find myself staring at that ugly word within me: Jealousy

It's weird how we can see the world around us through a screen. Meal ideas, fashion advice, decorating tips. It's all right there for us to scroll through.

In some ways, this makes me feel connected, but most of the time it just makes me feel isolated. I look at Pintrest and realize all of the ways that I have "failed".

I don't wear the cutest clothes, I don't have money to re-decorate every season, and don't even get me started on those recipes I haven't made...

I sit down by my friend and we are slow to connect. I look over at husband for encouragement and he is deep in conversation across the room.

She offers me a glass of wine. I decline because- white couches.

She begins to talk.

She is honest, kind, gentle, and... struggling?

I listen more closely. The beautiful furniture and paintings begin to dim, as our two hearts begin to find one another. Our lives are messy.

We laugh about burned dinners, dates gone wrong, pregnancy scares, and coffee spilled in awkward places. We share about broken relationships, secret fears, worries about the future, and yes... our jealousy.

Oh the lies that Satan wanted me to believe about my life, and hers.

I am thankful that stepping into that beautiful house turned into an even more beautiful (and freeing) friendship. I don't have to be perfect, and I am not expected to be.

The most valuable thing on this earth comes in the form of relationships. Being able to live life authentically with others and share each other's burdens and joys is precious.

 I don't need to have "a Pinterest" perfect life to be a good friend and to love others well.

"Let's choose today to quench our thirst for "the good life" we think others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts"

-Sarah Ban Breathnach