You ever have those chills, those thrills that just overcome your body. Your prayers are answered. Your life has come full circle and you finally start to understand why you love 70's music, why your best friend’s mom died, why you are enjoying living in a retirement community. As the Pickstown preacher said last week, “I don’t want to be too preaching” but man, God is good. He is good on the days of struggle, He is good through an average week and He is especially good when He visits you on a chilly Friday morning.
I’ve really been evaluating my life lately. Why am I single? Why do I have the circle of friends I do? Why am I body conscious? This morning, after weeks of praying and reflection, I understand. Typing an email to my coworkers while “Brandy, you’re a fine girl” streams across the speaker, I felt a moment of relief, of acceptance, a moment of realization that I’m exactly where I am supposed to be.
My personal opinion is that nobody, absolutely nobody, has to explain actions that make them happy. If we are living our life to it’s fullest, most functional potential, then that’s the reason. It’s answered. Case closed. Why do you go to a bar every Friday? Why do you go to church every Sunday? Because you want to, because it makes you happy. Dust your hands together and walk away. End of conversation.
I have a friend who recently expressed some frustrations in his life. He said “Well, I’m going to listen to God. He will steer me the right way” to where I responded with “That’s great! But your way is not always God’s way.” I continued the conversation by hoisting the loss of my father at a young age as an example. Did I want that to happen? Absolutely not! That’s not my way. However, God did not give me the hardship for no reason. I truly believe by removing my father, he gave me a great life lesson of independence, free-will and charisma. TikTok always jokes that “it’s the trauma that makes us funny.“ While that’s true to an extent, it’s those harsh experiences that give us credibility to help others. So while listening to God is the ultimate advice, make sure you aren’t just hearing him. You are listening to his words and his actions placed before you. Why weren’t you offered that job? Why did you fail Dry January? Open your mind to see what is He truly revealing in your life?
Raised by my mother, her friends, and my grandparents, I’m a full supporter of cards until midnight, soap operas over the noon hour and genuine conversation over a beer or cup of coffee. (Hmm, wonder why I like Pickstown.) Nobody’s preference on daily life is the same. That’s what makes us unique. If we all got along because our views were the same, we wouldn’t have sriracha to add to our eggs in the morning. Somebody has to dare to be different to see any type of change in our lives and our world.
As a reminder to myself and the readers thus far, before you decide to judge the girl next door, understand why you are judging her (or him). Are her views different than yours? Or is she just exactly where she is supposed to be, and you are still finding your target. No shame in still aiming. I most certainly am, because the Lord’s work is never done.
Put down the gavel and play that funky music because life’s too short and the pandemic’s too long to not have that radio dial on full turn.
Courtroom adjourned.
*steps off soapbox* *leaves stage right*
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