When I was a little girl I loved the excitement of a roller coaster. My favorite were the big old fashion wooden ones. The shaky, creaky assent to the tippy top. The view that took my breathe away . The free fall down, that left my heart thumping and stomach in my toes. The turns and the ups and downs. I would try my hardest to keep my eyes wide open for I did not want to miss a thing. Sometimes fear would grip me and I would shut my eyes tight and scream loud. When my eyes remained open to all that I felt and saw, I would feel so alive and free. The moment would seem to go on forever even though it was mere minutes.
This can be like my life. I have a choice. Do I allow my heart to stay open even when it feels as if it might burst? Do I allow my life to pass me in a blur or slow it down by staying present? Can I remain in the moment even in the tension, the wonder, the messiness, the beauty and even the pain? Can I live fully into all that God has created me for?
In growing older I have allowed fear to overwhelm and overtake my senses. Today I am too afraid to step foot on any roller coaster. In my life I can do the same. I shut my eyes and heart tight and move quickly past the unpleasant, the ugly, the messy and the painful. The moments of bliss and wonder can even become hard to allow myself to deeply feel. Its all too scary. I feel way too vulnerable.
This is not what God intended for me or for anyone. We are all created to love openly and freely. To give and to receive the goodness that is from God and God alone. Our lives can become an outpouring of the love and grace we receive from our Heavenly Father if only we are able to open our eyes and hearts to Him. When we abide in Jesus we are able to live into the beauty of the moments and the people he places in our path. When circumstances and relationships become ugly or painful we will continue to see Jesus. He is in all the moments. We can free fall and He will catch us.
Lord, give me your eyes and heart for others. Break my heart for what breaks yours. Help me to not be afraid to live into all that you have created me for.
[Photo credit: Tobias Toft]
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Much love to you my dear friend as you embark on this new journey! May The Lord use you to be a blessing to others as you have been to me. May you free fall and be caught in His arms with your eyes and heart wide open! Blessing to you and yours!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. God gave me you when I was that wide eyed little girl. So thankful for the many years of friendship. Love you lots.
Great perspective, Heather. Very encouraging. Thanks for sharing that.
Many thanks.
Heather, this was so beautifully written. When you say “yes” to God it can be very frightening, but the adventure God has for you will take your breath away. So excited to see where this journey leads. Love you!!
I am grateful for your support and for you, the brave and beautiful woman that you are. You have taught me so much. Love you too.
At the scariest moments, you can almost hear the Father telling you, “Just keep holding my hand.”
A wonderful post, Heather! Please keep sharing.
Yes, this is so true. My earthy father was the one who always encouraged me to ride the roller coasters and he was the one who sat next to and held my hand. This is a great picture of what are Heavenly Father does for us in all the ups and downs of life. Thank you.
Very sweet, Heather. A great reminder to start off the new year.
XOXO, Julie
Sending my love to you and your family. I hope you are all doing well. You are in my thoughts and prayers often. You are a blessing to me and you have taught me so much about treasuring the gift of motherhood.
Your words were a blessed start to my New Year – thanks!
So glad:) Happy New Year!
Well written, inspiring post. I look forward to the next one.
Thank you. Stay tune, there is much more to come:)
Heather, this is terrific. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to more of these “Hearty” posts from you. All my best for the new year to you and Robert and kids!
Thanks. We enjoyed receiving your Christmas letter and hearing about the happenings in your beautiful family. Many blessing to you and yours in the new year!
Amen! Fear is not from God. His Word is true and He will equip us with all that we need when we need it. Your words are inspiring Heather. “Break my heart for what breaks your!” thanks for your willingness to share your heart !
Gemma
Thank you for your encouraging words. Fear is not from God. He is with us in ALL things. Grateful for you and your husband.
Heather, thanks for the reminder that we (no matter what our age) can get “unstuck” from the fear that can drive our thoughts and ways and learn what God intends for our lives. Thanks for taking the plunge with this blog!
We all need this reminder from time to time. With God there are no limits, even our age. Thanks for your support. Sending my love to your family.
Heather and Robert,
My heart is so full from reading the post Robert shared on Facebook, celebrating your birthday. I LOVE the answers to the questions you proposed. I love the way your choice reflects so purely the heart of Jesus, he doesn’t promise an easier way, but a more meaningful way. Scott and I have flirted with adoption, I don’t feel finished and believe that grafting a child into our family would be an challenging but worthy pursuit and is so close to His heart. Your word brought me tears of joy. I am so grateful I opened the Robert shared on Facebook. I look forward to your journey and learning from it. We may follow in your footsteps. Your words are the song in my heart. Many Blessings!
Becki Parr (your long time ago neighbor)
God works in amazing ways. I can look back and see his hand and how he has brought our hearts and our family to this decision. I am thankful to God that I can bring encouragement to the stirring of your heart. I think adoption can seem so impossiable and out of reach even when we may have a heart and desire for it. It helps to see others reaching out and taking God’s hand on this journey. It might be a crazy one but well worth it.
I am so excited for your family as you embark on a new adventure as well. God is so very faithful.