Don’t be fooled by a look-a-like…read the label.

A few hours ago I took my mom to the grocery store, she wanted to buy fruit juice to use in her “green sandy grass” drink (she has a nutribullet, we no longer eat broccoli…we drink it). She walked to the juice aisle, carefully looked for what she wanted. When she found it, we went to the register, checked out and we made the trek home. Upon our arrival, she quickly poured herself a cup of her carefully selected juice. Only to immediately spit it out in disgust! Why? She bought the wrong thing. She meant to pick up V8 Splash, but instead picked up V8, sans splash…she picked up vegetable juice (I am laughing right now as I recall the look on her face, is that wrong?). How did this travacy happen? She was fooled by something that mimicked the real thing. It looked like what she wanted, same V8 logo, same colorful label, the juice was even the right color. Yet with all the similarities it still WASN’T real. Here’s my point as you continue on this journey beware of wolves in sheep clothing (just for the record I don’t just mean people). People, situations, and promises that look like the real thing. Want to know how to spot real? REAL doesn’t change. Real stays the same despite feelings and circumstances. REAL is ALWAYS consistent. My mom had to taste the juice to realize it wasn’t right. Sometimes we’ll have to do the same. However, had my mom just read the name on the label she would have known instantly it wasn’t what she was looking for (she wouldn’t have had to drink it). Life can fool you, many things will feel and look like the real thing, open your eyes, read the label, don’t be fooled by a look-a-like.

So what am I thankful for today? That I am learning to spot the real from the fake.