When I was doing my year of chaplain residency, one of my colleagues noted that I used the word “fun” a LOT! Once he had brought this to my attention, I began to notice that, indeed, I did say “fun” a lot. But where is the harm in that? Fun is a great word! I like to think that I could find “fun” in many different areas of my life.
Well, tonight, I am writing just for “fun.” I don’t have an inspiring, beautiful, or breathtaking message for you, just some fun and laughter. I would like to start this little whirlwind of fun by sharing a picture of me at four years old. (Three of my brothers were in this picture with me, but in order to protect their identities and innocence, I have cropped the picture so you can’t see them.) Anyway, here I am in my four-year-old glory!
Just look at that face. I wonder what type of deviousness I was pondering in this photo. I shared it with a friend, and I asked her, “Can you believe the owner of this face became a pastor/chaplain?” She responded with, “It’s all in the hands, Ann.” In spite of the trouble-making face, my hands were folded. Perhaps I was already praying for forgiveness for what I was planning!!!
We could probably all look back at our early beginnings and think, “That little girl/boy had no idea what lay ahead in life. That little girl/boy had no idea what she/he would become.” I think it is safe to say that none of us ever imagined the present in which we are living now.
Yet, I believe we are all uniquely gifted and positioned to make a difference right now and right where we are. The difference you make will not be the same as the difference I make; yet, both will be equally important to those around us, to those we serve, to those we love, and to those for whom we care. We just need to be patient with ourselves, relax, and let our unique gifts blossom. It’s hard right now – I think we are all grieving and tense; if only we could just take a breath and let ourselves soar as we are.
Oh shoot, I was just going to have fun, and now I went and got all serious. Well, enough of that. Let’s get back to the fun. I think we all hope that as we grew up and grew older, we matured and we evolved into the best of who we each are. I like to think that about myself. Below is a picture that, I think, shows my evolution and maturing!
Just kidding! No maturing here!! No evolution here!!! Just FUN!!!!
Go enjoy being YOU! And then see the world being blessed by you being YOU!
Ann