[filtered] Picture Perfect

My best friend Sara, The Heart of Life is Good, sent me this blog post from Struggle Pretty last week and it is absolutely wonderful. It gives a great two sided perspective of couples who look picture perfect on social media. I've linked the entire post above but wanted to highlight the paragraphs that speak directly to us single people.

We are all guilty of doing this, whether we like to admit it or not... 

"One, for all you singles out there who watch engagement videos and see wedding pictures and are waiting for your blissfully in love days, free of the frustration and anger and stubbornness. You should be aware of the reality ahead of you. If only you knew the amount of bad pictures it took to get the one that is actually posted on Instagram. Make a decision to see Instagram and Facebook and twitter posts for what they (sometimes) are…a beautiful moment between two sinners where Jesus meant more than their own agendas. You’re getting a glimpse into the life of two people who are trying to love each other well despite their own baggage and sin and pain. REJOICE in that with them. Pray for them.  And recognize that their entire relationship most likely does not, in fact, resemble the picture you’re seeing of them….and that’s ok.

So let’s all just stop assuming things about each other and instead, rejoice. Rejoice in our short-coming. Rejoice in our victories. Rejoice in the picture that shows two sinners having a good date night. Rejoice in the likelihood of those same sinners working through an argument 20 minutes later. Rejoice in the struggle, because when we choose to rejoice, the struggle becomes pretty."

That last line rings so clearly.

Sara had an amazing post last week about marriage, and while I may not be married or even close these are amazing guidelines to use in any relationship or even friendship. I absolutely love "7. Toilet Paper." I've been single for a good while now but as I enter back into the dating mindset both Struggle Pretty and The Heart of Life is Good will be wonderful resources to help me out!