“Do Not Fear” Seems to be a Theme Here

Those three words “Do not fear” pack a punch, don’t they? While I stay on the bandwagon about living by trust and faith, the fact is I am not so Pollyanna-ish that I am unaware of the fears we all face: taking care of bills, repairs, health concerns, pain and struggling relationships, etc.. And, I'm very cognizant of the seriousness of those who are at the end of their rope in coping with fear. It is no laughing and quick-fix matter.

So where do we start when worry, fear and concern dominate our lives? Can we live above our fears? Or at least quiet their gnarly voices? I really feel this season puts the answers for us in neon, flashing lights. By this season I don’t mean the "Christmas carols playing, Santa ho-ho-hoing, colored lights and sentimental old Christmas movies." I mean how Christmas can point us to deeper sources of hope, courage and fearlessness.

Those of us in the Christian tradition believe that this time of year presents us with the answers we need that can change the whole picture. No wonder the angels announce to the main characters in this drama, “Do not be afraid.” Mary hears it. Joseph hears it. The shepherds, scared witless by all the radiance in the sky, hear it from a chorus of angels. No wonder “Don’t be afraid” appears in the Bible more than 100 times.

It sure sounds like God delights in turning around “fearing times into holy, providential moments" of His presence and His promises to keep us in spite of times of fear.

But God. The ONE and ONLY -- the same God Who told Mary, Joseph and the shepherds to not be afraid, is still telling us "Do not be afraid." The "Do Not Fear" words don’t sound like a suggestion to me. Why does God COMMAND us not to be afraid when every day there are situations that occur and it seems impossible NOT to fear?

Throughout the Bible we learn that our Lord is a Lord of miracles and we are not to fear or have a lack of trust, because all of it, even the tough times, even in the uncertainty of the 21st century (or the 1st century) God’s plan is greater than our fears. So whether in this season, or the days to come, let’s remember that the perfect love of God casts out fear. The message of the Angel of the Lord is for every day - not just Christmas… “Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people. For unto you is born this day … a SAVIOR which is Christ the LORD! (Luke 2:9-11) Picture the God of the universe handing you his Son, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Hear him say, "Don't be afraid of anything….ever. I give you joy. I give you peace. I give you comfort. I give you hope. I give you good news of great joy! I give you peace that passes understanding. I give the the perfect love that casts out all fear. I give you JESUS!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” Psalm 41:1-2

Living the Dream

Just living the dream……oh what fun it is to ride and drive and jive! This sweet, little man, my youngest grandson, Bryson, and I are having a great time of summer fun. This is the first time, since my first grandchild 26 years ago, to have alone time for any length of time with one of my other grandchildren. I’m savoring every moment! Usually, our time together includes big brother or one of the parents, but here we are, while big brother is at summer camp in Seattle.

Bryson’s main request while in Tulsa: Incredible Pizza – a place he remembers well and gone away from way too long! We spent several hours there yesterday -- jumping on trampolines, laser tag, and bumper cars (I wasn't jumping OR tagging or bumping, but taking it all in). But, together we rode the go-karts, played miniature golf and lots of games and enjoyed yummy pizza. I listen intently to his musings, his quick little retorts to something silly I said, and to the answer he gave to someone’s question “What’s your favorite school subject?” He said, “Math!” What kid says “math”? I’m thinking…P.E., lunch! I love his desire to impress me with his diving and swimming the length of the pool skills. I love seeing the difference in his miniature golf today (after he’s had many golf lessons from a golf pro versus the non-skilled and, quite frankly, a little bored with the game years ago). I love it when I ask him to pray for our meal and isn’t resistant in any way.

The Michie’s (my dear friends and our Tulsa home) son was by last night and we talked about his 3-year-old and 10-month-old children and I, on my bandwagon, urged him to savor the moments. Yes, I know, when our little ones are little, the days are long and the years go by fast. But even when those days are long, I urged him to stop and listen to their words. Joseph told us that the 3-year old woke him up to tell him “I love you. I’m going to miss you today.” Oh, treasure those words today and tomorrow and for years to come.

It won't be long before this little guy and my little guy will be grown up with families of their own. I know I must sound like a broken record – but I’m passionate about the little things, the simple pleasures, the things that money can’t buy, the beauty of a tender hug and soft kiss on the cheek, a question “Nana, can I sleep with you tonight?’ These special simple pleasures keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

Treasuring these times, noticing simple pleasures, and counting our blessings. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle. Tomorrow may never come, so being aware on a continuous basis of how much we've been given. Gratitude shifts our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to offer thanksgiving for the "simple pleasures". We just might be re-energized, have new vitality and excitement for this beautiful life that is made up of "simple pleasures"! Mine starts again today -- in a big way when Bryson and I will go see Great Granny, spend time with a little cousin, swim with a friend, climb a tree house, tell silly stories, laugh at Nana singing “Cool Kids” and “What can I say but you’re welcome!” I'll savor it all and hold it all close to my heart because my heart is full and overflowing.

Allll Aboard -- for the Joy-of-Life Bandwagon!

Yesterday is gone and THIS IS THE DAY the Lord has made, so let's be JOY-full and be glad for it!

When you’ve had as many DAYS on this earth as I’ve had, you recognize each new day as a blessed day of start-overs, do-overs, rejoice-overs and be-glad-in-it overs. I live in a 55+ community and when we say to each other “Good Morning! How are you doing today?”, you'll usually hear “GREAT! I woke up. I'm still here!" LOL! So if we’re still here – whatever age we are -- that means that God has plans and purposes for us to fulfill in this new day. My favorite "life" quote is: “If I'm not dead; I'm not done!” So that means I must be the best and do the best I can at who God created me to be each and every day.

Being my best is riding daily on the joy-of-life bandwagon – not only for my good which invigorates me and gives me purpose, but to help others (those who get all caught up in the seriousness and practical demands of life) get back the joy of life, too. You know those folks that wake up on the wrong side of the bed. They get so focused on making a living, that they succumb to life by living each day in an almost robotic routine. They forget the child within them and they lose a lot of the flavor and spice of life. They don’t stop to smell the roses, to be struck with wonder anymore, like they did as children. I love this photo of the little girl chasing the chickens -- that's the closest photo I could find that defines me in my wild chicken chases!! I purpose to be the last one standing!

I never want to EVER lose that youthful pleasure and joy of life throughout the entire length of my life. Here's why I'm campaigning for a fully occupied joy-of-life bandwagon with others who want to live audaciously, free of the dismal, woe-is-me hang-ups. I love being silly with my friends, my children, and my grand-kids. I love belly laughing with them. Since I’ve been caring for all these animals, I’ve been belly laughing so much at myself and with others who are laughing with me. Last night, another two of the hens were out and this morning another of the smaller hens was out. I'm so silly that I like to think that God and my mischievous husband are the masterminds behind these little chicken culprits. They're probably belly laughing in heaven as they watch me tearing through the bushes after them.

You might ask me the secret to waking each day with being intentional with joy. It’s the same as when a friend of mine was expressing some major health concerns she was having. Not because she had issues, but her family had them, and now she was fearing the same thing would happen to her. I gave her many scriptures to take like they were a prescription daily – speaking to her body and mind with God’s promises and words. The same with me -- when I start to feel depleted of joy…I take a “God’s Word” scripture “The joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10; "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy." Psalm 16:11

Here's the truth of the matter -- none of us are free from life’s challenges, tragedies, pressures, or even suffering. We have known the sorrow of loss, the fears, and challenges of illness, but we don't have to allow any of those things to crush our child-like playfulness. We can prove that true joy and happiness can even be experienced in the midst of life’s challenges.

Being more like the “little children” that Jesus encouraged us to be to enter the Kingdom of God just may be the attitude of living life fully, with great joy and gusto, too!

I've got a seat reserved for you on the joy-of-life bandwagon with me.. Come on. Get on board! The ride is oh so sweet.....and hilarious. Just maybe you'll see a frenzied, but joy-filled blonde-haired lady chasing chickens down the road!! It will be worth the ride!

Joy of Life Bandwagon

I'm still on the joy-of-life bandwagon to help others (those who get all caught up in the seriousness and practical demands of life) get back the joy of life.They get focused on making a living and they succumb to everyday routine. They forget the child within them and they lose a lot of the flavor and spice of life. They don’t stop to smell the roses, to be struck with wonder anymore, like they did as children.

And, then there are those of us who NEVER forget, who keep that youthful pleasure and joy of life alive throughout the entire length of their lives. I'm purposing to be one of those. I love being silly with my grandkids. I love belly laughing with them. I love going to movies with them, swimming with them, fishing with them, playing badminton with them, racing them to see who can win (once upon a time, I let them win -- not any more -- but I at least put forth the effort - LOL).

And, I love being a part of a community that feels the way I do. We play pickleball, tennis, we run, walk, and work out regularly. We take great joy in play. Yes, that’s right. We still play with the gusto that is most natural to kids. Play is purposeful. Its end is joy. We are showing others a clear wisdom about life. We love life and the gift of joy that is possible to have. Life is a gift to be celebrated.

And, here's the truth of the matter -- none of us are free from life’s tragedies, pressures, or even suffering. We have known the sorrow of loss, the fears and challenges of illness, but none of this has crushed our child-like playfulness. We are proving that true happiness can even be experienced in the midst of life’s challenges.

We are showing how to be more like the “little children” that Jesus said we must be more like in order to enter the Kingdom of God. I think if you watch us, and listen to our words and attitudes, you just may learn something about how to live life fully, with great joy and gusto, too! Ready to get on the joy-of-life bandwagon with me?