The Adventure Continues

Do you have a dream that you think is too silly so you don't pursue it or tell anybody about it?  Do you have a tendency towards a style of art, a hobby, or a particular genre of music or books but you think people will look at you funny if they knew?  Do you have a wild, quirky person inside?

WHO CARES?

God does.  He made each of us just the way He needs us to be.  I know that I don't often live my life believing this, but I hope that you do and I pray that we will all strive to improve in this area together...unless of course, you've already got it nailed down and perfected.

I was sitting in church one day and I had a navy blue purse with a lot of silver "bling" on it.  After services, a friend of mine leaned over the pew and was somewhat surprised that I would have a purse that was so embellished, and not the least bit conservative.  She learned a little more about me that day, and I learned that while my inner person selected the purse based on the way God created me - I wasn't doing a very good job of letting people know who I really was inside.

I have had dreams of being a successful artist - the medium changes, but I want to be creative for a profession.  I love bright, vivid colors that remind me of wonderful far off lands.  I laugh big when you hear me laugh.  I love big when you see me love.  I cry big when I allow it.  I dream big but don't share it.  Some of my favorite people in the world are some relatives from the next generation above me, or two.  They are not small in their life, love, laughter or dreams.  I want to be more like them.  They have allowed themselves to live the life God created for them.  They serve God by being themselves - the same one on the inside and the outside.

So, now I ask you...would it surprise you to find out my Adventure Gang Character is...

One More Thing...

Who are you on the inside?

Take care, and I'm always here to listen, pray for you, or to encourage you.

Lois Lynn

The Person Inside

About six years ago, two of my friends and I read through and studied Luci Swindoll's book, I Married Adventure.  During that time I received one of my greatest blessings ever - a chance to go on a cruise to Mexico with my best friend, at a very low cost.  Here I was in the midst of studying about adventure and I couldn't leave my study partners behind. 

We each selected a stuffed animal to represent our true selves, the person inside us that many don't know.  There were three stuffed animals in my suitcase - a brown horse, a frog, and a brightly colored bird.  While at times embarrassed, I did take photos of "The Adventure Gang" in a variety of locations including sunning on the Lido Deck and enjoying chips and guacamole in Cabo San Lucas.

I find that people can often surprise you as you begin to grow deeper in the knowledge of who they are.  I have some friends that I thought to be very humorless and kind of rigid...until I got to know them.  The opposite is also true.  I have some people in my life that are still full of surprises years after I reached the point where I really felt I knew them.  People are complex - after all, God made each one of them and just look at what He's capable of!

Our human nature tends to be pretty quick with judgment calls based almost solely on an exterior evaluation, or at best, maybe a first impression that includes conversation.  I have been working on this for years, but it's become apparent that I still have many long years of work left ahead of me.  

Last week, I was reading on Facebook about a burger contest here in town.  Needless to say, I bookmarked the page!  I discovered that one of the semi-finalists was at a place very close to work, so we ventured way beyond our comfort zone and went to this bar to try the burger.  I'm not sure I've ever been to a bar, a true bar like this one was.  There happened to be two large parties at the time, making it too loud for us to talk so we just sat there waiting for our food.  One gal there was covered in tattoos (large, odd-looking ones), kind of wild hair and an "earthy" outfit including a top that was made from a skirt.  The top was cute, but I found that I did jump to some conclusions (confession time).  There was enough of a lull in the conversation for me to hear that she had at least one master's degree, maybe even two and I believe she worked serving children.  Wow.  I was doing the very thing I get frustrated about when people do it to me.  I thought I knew her based on my first assessment.  I was wrong.

As for the burger...not a semi-finalist in my mind!  There are better ones out there, maybe soon to be featured in my blog.

Which animal do you think I chose to represent me?

I'd love to hear of any new adventures you find when you look a little deeper...to the person inside.  I hope and pray you will find somebody God has put into your life, that simply needed a closer look from you.

One More Thing...
I'd like to challenge you to step back, start over, and go deeper with some of the people you may have met along life's journey.  There may be a lot more to them than you ever expected or had the courage to investigate.  God made them and they are here for a purpose just like you are.  Do you want to miss out on those great adventures?

Take care, and I'm always here to listen, pray for you, or to encourage you.

Lois Lynn