Struggle

I want to run away from it and yet always be on the other side.
I want all the benefits and not any of the consequences.
I want all the glories and none of the sacrifice.
I want all the pleasure and none of the pain.
I want all the virtues without ever having to admit or work through my vices.
I want all the courage without any of the fear.
I want all the admiration without any of the mercy.
I want all the wisdom without any of the mistakes.
I want all the knowledge without any admittance to ignorance.
I want all the freedom without any of the responsibility.
I want all the love without any self revelation.
I want all the grace without any of the truth.
I want all the relationships without any of the drama.
I want all the encouragement without any of the criticism.
I want all the strength without any of the weakness.
I want all the spotlights without any of my darkness being exposed.
I want all the winnings without any of the failures.
What I want is all the success without any of the struggle.

And that terrifies me.

There is a quote that is echoing in my soul today, it reads-
"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character” T. Allen Armstrong

I can understand the prayer of the confederate soldier. It went something like this.

I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I had asked for, but everything that I had hoped for. Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered; I am, among all men, most richly blessed.