adventure

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Into the Unknown: Letting Go of Fear and Embracing Adventure

DevotionalsOctober 29, 2019October 29, 2019

Leaving the safety of what is known requires risk. Step out into the unknown. Here is what will be experienced in a life of adventure…

My husband and I had many adventures during the first several years of our marriage. There was the move to Atlanta, hang-gliding, backpacking in the Appalachians, backpacking in the Rockies, the move to Chicago, starting a coffee shop, and then having a baby. After that our adventures took on a different form. Still adventures, but a little closer to home.

So for my husband’s fortieth birthday this year, I felt an adventure was due. I took him to a high ropes course, complete with zip lines. What in the world was I thinking? This adventure-loving gal apparently does not like adventure high up! My husband was so patient with me as I shakily took each scary step a mile up in the sky (not really, but you get the point, and I’m awful at estimating distance).

There were five stations. At all times, throughout each station, we were attached to a cable with our safety harness. Each one began with climbing up a ladder that was just wooden rods on rope. This was the part I most hated, having to leave the safe comfortable ground below; the pulling of the safety cable thing-y climbing up, figuring out how to get off the ladder and onto the platform. And this is before ever facing an obstacle…

Into the Unknown

Then came the obstacles. Some were just walking across boards that were spaced out. Sometimes the boards were not fixed and would swing. There were cargo nets, tight rope walking, and tree-hugging. The craziest obstacle was the Tarzan swing. After hooking my safety harness safely into a super safe rope, I stepped off the platform into… nothingness. There was NOTHING below me. We were told to bounce once against the net, then grab onto it once we swung back. On the first bounce, the net grabbed my shoe! It was hanging on only by my toes. Frantically, I used my other foot to push it back on and was able to grab on as I swung back.

I was screaming like a banshee when I stepped off that platform (never in my life has someone referred to me as quiet). After completing that obstacle, my husband reveals to me that the Tarzan swing was the difficult option, and I actually could have skipped it. I acted like I was mad, but I wasn’t.

The final obstacle had two additional ladders to climb, taking us even further from the safety of the ground. Each station ended with a zip line. But of course, the biggest zip line was last. There was a reason I needed to climb up those two additional ladders. I needed to be higher so I could go further, faster.

The Adventure

All of our lives are full of adventure, of stepping out into the unknown. Perhaps it is moving, or going to school – again, becoming a missionary, having a baby, writing a book, facing a health crisis, or opening up your heart and home to new friends.

The pull…

When we are leaving the comfort and safety of the known (even if it is a situation we don’t like), we feel the pull on us to return to safety. Those first decisions can weigh us down with anticipation, dread, fear, or waiting.

Unsure…

Then we arrive at the place where we need to take a step. Our footing is unsure. We are shaky, and beginning to question our decisions. It seems too big, too overwhelming.

Trust…

There will come a point when we will begin to trust, not our footing, but the One who holds us. We will end up slipping, falling, feeling that we are about to meet our demise, but knowing that we are held safe.

Risks…

Because of the trust being built, we begin to take greater risks. We know that it is not our strength that makes what we are doing possible. It is His strength, and we can have exuberant joy as we trust in it.

Un-expectations…

We will be able to readjust as unexpected circumstances arise. We gain a new perspective, and do not worry about doing everything the “right way.”

Pressing on…

But just because we have already left the safety of the known, does not mean that we won’t continue to fight the pull to go back. The pull is not as great, and it is honestly too late to back out anyway, so we continue to press on.

Perspective…

After pressing on we gain a different perspective. Sure, we are more exposed, more vulnerable, but the view is worth it. And so is the feeling of letting go and having the wind rush against us. We know we need to go higher so we can go further, faster.

Go…

We also know to not get too comfortable, because there is always more life to explore. After all, we are not called to arrive. We are called to go.

Stepping Out

What adventures are you having? Where are you on this never-ending cycle of adventure? I leave us now with this confirmation, this promise…

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9-10, NIV

We are not to get too comfortable, because there is always more life to explore. After all, we are not called to arrive. We are called to go. Click To Tweet

Casey Horner

Fun: Accepting God’s Invitation to Life’s Adventure

Devotionals, Stay SaneMarch 1, 2018June 28, 2019

God carries us through times of sorrow, teaching us to live and love with abandon. We can trust God’s invitation to have fun and enjoy life’s adventure.

People have fun in lots of different ways. Go out to dinner, watch a movie, dance, play sports, hang-out with friends. Immersing yourself in hobbies is a great way to relax and unwind. I have been giving this a lot of thought recently.

Confessions…

I have a few confessions to make.

Here is the first: I am too serious. It’s not like I don’t laugh or smile, I do, but I take my life very seriously. I make lists, plans, prepare, and predict. When I was a young girl I would literally plan out conversations. I plan out each step of my day. As a student I would write out my plan for studying before I could begin to study. When we go on vacation I plan out itineraries weeks before we leave.

Confession number two: The thing I pride myself on, isn’t exactly true. Being intelligent has always been an important descriptor to how I see myself. My husband lovingly says I’m the smartest one in the room and it secretly fills me with bubbling joy quickly followed by a deep shame. Because it’s not true. I have a learning disability that makes organization and logical thinking difficult. To combat this I have pushed myself to the opposite extreme.

Finally, my most secret confession: I stopped believing in fun. I have focused my life on striving to find the best. Sometime around the age of twenty or so this seems to have taken a decidedly down hill turn. I decided on being a teacher and gave up my childish dream of being an actress on Broadway. Being a grown up took precedence in my life. When I became a mother I felt the weight of responsibility. A few years later I had my first brush with death, and mortality became a very real entity. Later in my early thirties the greatest tragedy in my life occurred – the death of my son. I lost joy.

By the time I was thirty-five, there was no fun left in my life.

Abandon

But God has a way of changing the story. He surely changed mine. We moved to a town where I knew no one. Our families lived hundreds of miles away. I had no job. What I did have was my husband and my daughter. We spent all of our time together that first year. I did eventually find a job, we met friends through my daughters soccer team, and we all learned to laugh more and have fun when our son was born.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12, NIV

God quite clearly reminded us to laugh and love with abandon. I remember one day when our baby was about 14 months old, the weather turned warm, the trees were in bloom and we spent a whole day out in the backyard. It was beautiful. We had a picnic that included his first popsicle. He drove his tractor, ran around naked, laughed like a loon, and took the sweetest nap curled up next to me while I read. It was the first thing I hadn’t “planned” in a long time.

Control

I wish this was such an awe inspiring moment that I realized my control issues were getting in the way of God living in my life…it wasn’t.

Over the next few years I kept asking God to help me put “fun” back into my life. There were more of these moments, but I never seemed to be able to catch hold of the string, and it kept flying out of my hand just as I would get my fingers around it.

During this time I started listening to a lot more Christian music and found Newsboys. Their song “Live with Abandon” has become an anthem in my life. Let go of the plans and live the life God has made for you. He wants you to have fun, live life to its fullest, and trust in Him. He has the plan.

“I wanna live with abandon
Give you all that I am
Every part of my heart Jesus
I place in your hands
I wanna live with abandon”

Trust

Over the last year I have found myself more trusting in this plan and more willing to give up control to God. I can’t really tell you why this has happened. We moved again, but this time to a town where we had some friends and family closer. My daughter is now grown up and off at college. I had to find a new job – one that was very difficult to begin with. My son has had a hard time adjusting, but finally seems to be settling in.

All this is to say that my life is ordinary…nothing that many other people haven’t dealt with. The one thing that has changed in the past year has been prayer. I am a much more faithful friend to my God. I talk to him everyday. Usually I write those prayers down, but not always. I also try to listen to Him. “What do you want me to do?,” and then I feel a pull, encounter a situation, or hear His words through someone else. His answers are there. I still plan my day, I know what is happening tomorrow and next week, but I have made some room for revision. I have made some room for an old relationship that needed some tending to.

Fun

Now, I am having fun for the first time…maybe in forever. I laugh more with my family, my students, my friends. I see the world brighter and clearer than I ever have before. My sense of optimism and redemption has opened up. Fear and anxiety have lessened. Life is calling me and I am excited to accept its invitation because I know it comes from my Father in heaven. Join me in the fun adventures God has planned for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Dear God,

Thank you for being my Creator. You have brought joy and purpose in my life. Help me live with abandon for You. Keep my feet on the path that follows Your plan. I know wonderful adventures await me if I will allow myself to trust in You completely. Thank you for guiding me. Continue to show me Your way forward through this life’s twists and turns. My greatest desire is to join You in the next life.

Love,

How has God changed your story?

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

Life is calling me and I am excited to accept its invitation... Click To Tweet

Luca Upper

Adventure: Leaving What is Safe for Abundant Life

Devotionals, Stay SaneOctober 15, 2017September 8, 2019

Adventure means leaving our comfort zone. It can be uncomfortable, but often what is on the other side is the abundant life.

Just before I woke I had a chilling dream. I was running through a banquet hall attempting to elude a man pursing me. I felt sick as I realized there was nowhere else to run and I had to fight. Finding some knives on a nearby table I hurled them at my attacker. He was able to deflect them with plates or large metal bowls which he would in turn launch in my direction. We ended up in hand to hand combat; I was sorely outmatched. He pinned me against a wall where he slowly stab me in the thigh. I suspected that he thought the blow was mortal since it was one of his signature moves. He lowered me to the ground and walked away triumphant.

The scenes changed and it was dusk. Outside in a harvested wheat field, I was leaning against a wooden fence. Wondering if I looked pale or if I would soon lose consciousness I looked down at my feet expecting to see blood, but there wasn’t any. A glimmer of hope sprung up that perhaps my wound just needed to be mended. Birds started singing as I made my way back to the main house and I knew I wasn’t going to die from the stabbing, but I would have the limp for life.

That was when my tweeting birds alarm fully pulled me from my dream.

It has taken me a seriously long time to grow into my name.

Emily: industrious, disciplined, striving.

It is difficult for me to stay on task, so striving certainly resonates with me. Somewhat recently I have scratched the surface of being more self-disciplined. This is because two years ago this weekend, my husband got a job that moved our family 600 miles away from my hometown. And stuff. got. real.

I didn’t used to be an adventurer; I stuck with what felt safe. But when we uprooted our family, I had two choices: become a recluse in one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S. or find community.

We hadn’t even begun to settle in our new home when the heavens opened up and dumped three feet of snow. The blizzard gave us the opportunity to meet several of our neighbors while we were out shoveling every two hours. I hadn’t met that many people on any street we’d lived on before! I had a lot of free time on my hands after our kids were in school. Out of my normal comfort zone, but strangely fearless, I signed up for a ladies’ bible study at our new church and met some friends. Life really took off from there.

Leaving What is Safe for Abundant Life

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23, ESV

My dream captured an accurate picture of my life as a Jesus follower. Historically I’ve run from conflict; but some battles I must fight. Usually they’re messy and rarely do you escape without some wounds and lasting scars.

A lot of change has occurred since our move. I took a job in ministry and have developed intimate community. But our family has also incurred some blows from the enemy. At times, I feel like I’ve prayed all the prayers, read all the books, said all the things…and the enemy still advances. So, I turn and fight – expecting the hits Satan thinks will wreck me – confident that my life is in God’s hand.

I turn and fight... confident that my life is in God’s hand. Click To Tweet

What adventures have led you to an abundant life? Let me know in the comments below!

Do you feel like you are striving? Strive to be better, not different!

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

Iker Haro

In Her Corner, episode 9

In Her Corner, Stay SaneSeptember 4, 2016

This is a series to learn about different moms and their different situations. Through interviewing these women and sharing their stories I hope that we can all have a better understanding and appreciation of each other. Hopefully we can support and encourage her “in her corner.”

Who she is…

She is a mom to 3 boys, ages 10, 9, and 6, and a girl, age 7. The older two are theirs through adoption, which was finalized earlier this year. She enjoys having several smaller jobs/projects rather than a full-time gig. Currently her days are filled with being a part-time director for a housing ministry that helps to equip individuals and families who fall beneath the poverty line, running a home based business, and serving in ministry with a church plant.

Where her journey has taken her…

Early in their marriage they were pursuing the American dream. They were both working in careers simply to get stuff that they wanted. They were tired of trying to keep up with that lifestyle.

“It just wasn’t life-giving.”

In their hearts, they knew that what they really wanted was to work in ministry together. She had a heart for children in foster care and had brought up the possibility of being a family teacher/house parent at a children’s home. Her husband, who had a career in behavioral health, was hesitant about this however, because he knew how broken the system was and how difficult it would be. He felt that maybe one day they would adopt, but did not want to be a foster parent.

They decided to move closer to family, with the intention of continuing their current lifestyle even though they truly wanted to get away from it. They were progressing in the journey of moving, but neither of them had found a job yet.

“Everyone thought we were crazy!”

During this process her husband was struggling with anxiety about the move and lack of work. One night, while they were discussing the impending move, their daughter came and asked what was wrong. He replied that he didn’t know what to do for work, and asked her what she thought he should do. She said with perfect clarity, “God wants you to take all the boys and girls that don’t have mommies and daddies and put them in a van and bring them to our house.” Her husband was undone. His heart melted, and he submitted to this calling. He called several different children’s homes, got an interview at one located near family, and they were soon hired to be family teachers. They started immediately after their move with no break in pay.

When they first started, they were in the preschool cottage thinking that it would be great since their children, who would stay in the cottages with them, were 3 and 4 at the time. In actuality, their children became very needy. It was like they had 8 children under the age of 5. When they were on duty the children in their care were their priority and they didn’t want their own children to be the cause of upset in the cottage, so they would end up being harder on their own children. They soon realized that it was not healthy for their children as they were needing more of their attention. They then moved to a cottage for elementary boys, which was a much better fit since the children in their care were older and more independent.

“We could take our biological kids and hold them for a little bit if we needed to. Or if they needed discipline, it could be as long as it needed to be.”

She never felt that her children were in immediate danger, but there were always precautions taken for their safety. They were always behind a locked door at night. They were always within their sight. Thankfully, their children were never targeted by children in the home when there was a prolonged outburst of anger.

They were well prepared for what to expect in the home, and how volatile it could be at times. They were not, however, prepared for the level of normal day to day chaos, with minimal down time. It was constantly on the go for a full 7 days. As a family teacher, their schedule was 7 days fully on, 2 days as support, and then 5 days off. Her family was in this role for 2.5 years.

After moving to the elementary cottage, the boys who would eventually become their sons arrived. They were instantly drawn to their love of life and energy. They knew that the boys were on track for adoption, and they knew they would have a difficult time saying goodbye to them.

“At mothers days [he] brought home an art project with a poem that said, ‘You make me baked spaghetti, you push me on the swing, you pray with me, and teach me about God and his Son.’ I read it and said, ‘Oh this is adorable, I love it! Is this for your mom?’ He said, ‘Nope it’s for you!’ God revealed to us that these were our kids.”

They began the process to be approved for adoption so that when the brothers became available for adoption, they would be ready. This process began about 10 months after the boys came to their cottage. The day after they sent off the first application, they received an email informing them that their birth mother had relinquished her parental rights. It was not for another 16 months that their background summaries were completed (the background summary contains all information about the children and their parents and the situation that they came from, and must be completed before adoption can occur). Simultaneously, it was nearly a year before they were approved to be foster parents for the boys. At that time, the boys were able to move in with them. However, they still could not tell them that they were pursuing them in adoption. The boys moved into their home in December of 2015, believing that they were just their foster parents. This resulted in days early on with behavior problems and them feeling angry and unstable. The younger brother didn’t see what the point was to move into their home, believing that he was going to be able to stay.

“I told him, ‘God is in control and He loves you and He knows what is best for you and you have got to trust that He has a plan, and know that we do not want you to have to leave. Trust that.’ After that he stopped being so unsure of everything.”

Adoption was final May 2016.

Where she is now…

Life is definitely busier with four children. The kids, however, do seem to do better though and bicker less because there are more playmates. Chores was an easy transitions because that was part of life at the cottage, and they just kept it part of their routines. Each of them keep their rooms clean and help with laundry.

“The make their own fun, and come up with sports, and do weird games, and play hide and seek. It’s always an adventure with 4 of them.”

What her strengths are…

She is very empathetic. She can see that there is more beyond the behavior of her children, and is able to get to the heart of what is going on. She counsels them and brings them back to the gospel and the truth of who Jesus is.

She is creative and loves doing projects with them and encourages them to make and sell stuff so they are able to give to others in need.

What her weaknesses are…

She can be emotional, and will get stressed or flustered when parenting.

She also knows that she doesn’t rest enough. She lets herself get run down and is then not able to do all of the things she would like with her kids, or be with them as much as she wants to be.

“I have to just play, and not work!”

What she fears…

She fears for her children’s futures. She tends to think worst case scenario. So when they act out or are disrespectful, her mind jumps to thoughts that their future is doomed.

Where she finds joy…

She loves watching them change into these incredible people that God has created them to be.

“Getting to foster their gifts and talents individually and point out how they bear God’s image in different ways. And that they can be proud of it.”

How she stays sane…

She has learned that eating healthy is important for her to feel her best. And she reads different devotionals and scripture daily for encouragement.

“I draw life from other people, so getting together with other women as often as I can to talk and pray is important.”

What she wants others to know…

People will often make comments to her, in regard to adopting, that are well-meaning and kind and thoughtful. They are wanting to compliment them for this thing that they have done. But it leaves her feeling awkward.

“I want people to know that we are not extraordinary, we didn’t have special gifts or abilities to care for these children. It is only by the grace of God. Knowing that we have been adopted into the family of God motivated us to pursue these kids who needed parents and who needed to know their heavenly Father. God brought these kids to us and it is a privilege to be able to parent them.”