Can’t believe I forgot to write about this!
Back in June, my sweet daughter and I decided on a mall trip
to ride the carousel there.
After finishing our carousel ride, we witnessed a
grandfather-aged gentlemen taking pictures. I smiled on the inside thinking how
much he must be enjoying watching his grandchildren enjoy the carousel ride.
When I followed the man’s gaze to see his beloved grandchildren, I was
pleasantly surprised instead to see his beloved wife. She was carefully
stepping down the stairs of the upper level of the carousel after her ride with
a giant smile on her face. As she reached the exit gate she proudly and happily
offered her hand to the attendant to receive a carousel horse stamp. The proud
mark of a happy carousel rider. She boldly and excitedly announced to her
husband “I’m going to get myself another ticket and ride again!” And she did!
I’m grateful and proud to say – we joined her. Her enthusiasm and zest for
enjoying life in that moment was contagious. Which leads me to the point of
writing today.
Jesus said to boldly come to the throne of grace. That He
came that we may have and enjoy the life that He died to give us. He calls us
to be salt and light in the world.
This woman’s joy was contagious that day. I imagine she
exhibits joy for life that day as much as she does any other. It was amazing to
be apart of her journey in that moment, and truthfully it inspired me to enjoy
life alongside her. I was so blessed that Jesus divinely orchestrated our paths
to cross that day. He reminded me again through this beautiful woman to enjoy
the life He died to give me, more. I can often get consumed with the
seriousness of life. I have an
uncanny ability to, no matter what the circumstances, be them good or bad, to
see what I’m not doing, who I am not, what I am not, and what I have to improve
in, rather than enjoying the blessing of life given to me at all, and knowing
that every moment, and every situation is an opportunity to glorify God through
my weakness, and my humanness.
Everyday The Lord is making it more clear to me to look to Him, and all
He is, rather than all I am and what I “feel” myself and my life currently are not.
The devil sends distractions. This enemy of our souls would love for us to
focus on the temporary tests, trials, and distractions, rather than just rest
in knowing God is God and He is on our side, protecting us, caring for us and
loving us, despite. Our loving
Father longs for us to embrace the fact that we must not hide our lamps under
bushels. That we must continue to shine so that a very lost and very hurting
world can have a tangible witness and experience of how great God is and what
He can do in the life of a simple person, His child.
This lovely woman that day, didn’t have the body of a child (it took her time and effort to get on and off those carousel horses), but she
had the simple joy and attitude of a child. I asked if I could take her picture
on her second ride, and she happily obliged. Here she is - in all her glory!
The funny thing is, she realized after all her effort to
board this horse that it wasn’t a horse that went up and down. It just rocked. She gladly dismounted
that horse and found one that gave her the full ride experience, going up and
down. She wasn’t going to waste
her ticket, and neither should we! Make this life count, All! Enjoy and be
blessed by it, and in it. It’s the only one you’ve got, and it’s a wisp of
wind, a vapor that vanishes just as quick as it is formed. Determine today to
have and enjoy it, but most of all, to bless God by embracing life and loving
it and all that’s in it, good and bad, to the full! Show everyone you know and everyone you meet, “Whom The Son
sets free is free indeed!” J
Father God, Thank you for our precious lives. Thank You for
Your Precious Son, who died to give us life in You, and save us from eternal
pain and suffering. Instead we get to retire with You, in Heavenly places.
Hallelujah! We are so grateful for You and Your Son and all that You are and
all that You do to protect and bless us. Father, help us to live and enjoy our
lives to the full. Help us to change our perspectives if they are negative,
fault finding and gloomy. Help us to embrace the hope that is found in life and
love in You. Help us to display it. Help us to glorify you, by enjoying these
beautiful lives, no matter what the circumstances. Help us to be blessings
because we are blessed. And as a result of all of this, help others to find
you, and accept Your Son as their Lord and Savior also. Help us all to have a
revelation of peace and our freedom found in and through You, today and every
day. Help us to keep our
child-like joy, and faith, always, Father. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen!
Many Blessings and In His Love,
Amy O
