silly depths

Smurfs never meant anything to me. I don't think I watched them as a child. Yet here I am, twenty seven and overly happy about going to a smurf movie with a friend (complete with smurf tatoos on our faces). I'm even refreshed at the simplicity of the smurf plot, and the irony of being blue and cheerful too on an emotionally flip flop of a day.

A week later, a new friend wins a smurf for me in a claw machine at the beach... Papa smurf comes back from vacation with me. Besides reminding me of two friends, what do I care about smurfs???

I dig for it— Each smurf gets named with one adjective based on his personality or talents. The smurf named Clumsy struggles as he is only known for messing things up, and his family won't trust him to get anything done right. Yet he triumphs at the end of the film (oops! spoiler), because he is able to go beyond being just Clumsy to being a hero, his dream. A woman he meets reminds him that we can be more than one thing, instead of being locked into one defining characteristic or role. We all know that, right?

Sigh... I technically know that I can be identified in different ways, by different adjectives and characteristics, and different roles that I have. But there are afternoons like yesterday... I come home tired but refusing to rest. I get discouraged when several things go wrong. I even get discouraged that I get discouraged, when rationally I should feel great and often do. Can I hold this discouragement and joy in tension? Can I be clumsy and successful, weak and strong, cheerful and sad, wise and clueless, inspired and unmotivated, apathetic at times and still deeply loving & caring other times? I'd say most definitely YES. Maybe not all of these all at the same time, but still, multiple roles & qualities. Possibilities. I have shortcomings despite the great potential in me (or potential despite the shortcomings in me?). Much of it is God's work, not mine. Sometimes though, it is entirely my choice. On those evenings when it's hard to look past one shortcoming, one glitch, one frustration, one weakness, one role... I remember how each of us is a combination of so many different roles, qualities, gifts, circumstances & defining moments. I become thankful, hopeful, peaceful, and I rest in that.

Tonight Papa Smurf made a few unplanned appearances around town— I don't mind a few odd glances, because the curiosity, big smiles, and laughter from those who appreciate him make it worth it ;) Don't let joy be stolen.