Testimony: This Is Us
Recently I watched the pilot of a new TV show which I really enjoyed. There’s not too many shows I can get into without braving myself for offensive language/graphic sexual content, etc…And thus far this had none of those so I settled into the unfolding of what appeared to be an interesting story. I don’t want to ruin it for you just incase I’ve peaked your interest enough for you to check it out (waiting for my cut for that one NBC) however I will share the part that stood out to me.
One of the main characters is sitting on the bathroom floor with her twin brother and it just so happens to be their 36th birthday. The woman is severely obese and in her attempt to weigh herself on a scale (because she is trying very hard to lose weight) she instead loses her footing and finds herself sprawled out on the floor bruised and injured. Her brother is there to tend to her but I can only imagine the embarrassment one would feel being found naked (although she had a robe on) and unable to pull yourself up off the floor. Clearly they had a close relationship, as that would take some super vulnerability! I’m just saying…
But this is the part that stands out to me. So they’re sitting on her bathroom floor and she says to him, “I can’t believe we are in our 30s!” “Like DEEP in them!” And I had to marvel at that because my friends and I say that all the time! So clearly there was a universal understanding that there is a difference between being 30 and being IN your 30s. She goes on to say how different her life turned out at this point than she had ever expected and now I’m shaking my head at the screen marveling that “Yes! Yes! Life is so different! How did we get here?”
The character in the show is having a low point. It’s her birthday and she’s struggling with her weight, which probably stems from deeper-rooted issues and she’s probably struggling with singleness and not having kids. Or maybe she isn’t, but since that’s my struggle sometimes I’m just going to project that onto her. Her brother, although good looking and in shape, has his own issues. But what they have in common is that life looks different then they thought it would in their 20s.
I’m a firm believer that our future is determined by our present choices. As a believer I have the benefit of walking with the One who has my best interest at heart at all times, but I still have freedom of choice. Thankfully when I was going to make very poor choices God helped me to make better ones. And when I made very bad choices, He worked them for my good. That is the benefit of being His. Still, Christian or not most people will come to a place of dealing with disappointment in their lives. Most people will look back and say, “How did I get here? Why didn’t I do that? Why didn’t I marry them?”
Life has a way of flying by and moving slowly at the same time.
Most people spend their 20s hoping and preparing for the American dream. And most people eventually face reality: there is no American Dream. Yes, you can end up on your bathroom floor as an obese woman who hasn’t had a date in years. But at the same time you could end up with a friend kneeling down on that floor with you. Engaging in that disappointment with you and assisting you as you get back up to face one more day.
Just last night I was talking to a dear friend. We are going on 15 years of friendship (go us!). We have walked through so much life together and I find so much comfort in sharing this journey of singleness with her because she gets it. She’s in it. I would have much rather been on a date on a Friday night being wined and dined by Mr. Right, but at 33 I realize, that is not my reality. The reality is that instead, I have a sister walking out life with me, waiting with me, and who is there to pick up the call on the first ring and talk at all hours through the night.
Maybe the American Dream doesn’t exist, but maybe it was never meant to. Maybe it was never about the husband, 2.5 kids and white picket fence. Maybe it was about the people here and now, willing to love you now, no matter your waist size.
And if I’m right and true success is not determined by our accolades but instead by the love in our lives then I can say that at 33 I have already succeeded. Because there are so many around me rooting me on in this obstacle course of a journey. And I too take my turn at cheering for their win at life.
Oh and just in case you were wondering, the name of the show is called, “This is Us”…
Nicole Miller
Latest posts by Nicole Miller (see all)
- Testimony: This Is Us - October 3, 2016
You have Successfully Subscribed!