A Fair to Remember

"I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." -John 10:10

When Jim and I were up in Monterey for our mini-vacation, I noticed that the fair was taking place. I said to my husband, "Let's go see the fair."

"You want to go to the fair, Sheila?"

"Yes. I want hot dogs, kettle corn and funnel cake - fair food." My husband grinned at me knowing I was not usually that naughty. So, we went, and I had a wonderful day wandering the fairgrounds. It brought back many memories of fairs in Iowa when I was a girl. I remember watching my cousins enter calves and pigs in competitions and my aunts their pies for ribbons. However, my favorite part was always the rodeo.

It was kids' day at this particular fair and we were there as they put sheep in a pen. We thought that maybe they were going to rope the poor sheep. But all of a sudden, we saw a sheep burst through the pen doors, and clinging to her back was a boy no more than 7 years of age. The child, who was quickly bucked off to the ground, which mercifully was close and soft, jumped energetically to his feet, and brushed himself off. My mouth fell open.

Jim said, "What kind of release do parents have to sign to let their children do that?!" Just then, another sheep burst forth with another child on board. Sheep after sheep burst forth with an intrepid child clinging to its back for a fraction of a second, and none of them were hurt and looked like they were having the time of their lives. This was a fair they would never forget! I could just imagine the thrill and wished my sons could have experienced something so fun!

When life is safe - and I like being safe...I hate getting hurt - we can miss out on the thrills of life. What if we lived life as if it was a fair to remember - diving in headfirst, clinging for dear life even though we knew we would be thrown into the mud? Is the ride worth it? Yes!

What has God been nudging you to do that you have been afraid to say "yes" to? What are you missing out on by holding back? Life is an affair to remember when you dare to live it clinging for dear life to God.

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PRAYER:

Lord, I have felt You nudge me, though I have not moved in fear that I might be thrown, that I might get hurt, that I am not qualified. Give me the courage to say "yes" to the thrilling ride You have planned for me. Amen.

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What has God been nudging you to do recently? Have you taken His challenge? If yes, what was the result? If no, of what are you afraid? Are you willing to say "yes" to the thrilling ride God has for you?

By Sheila Schuller Coleman-Hour of Power