Laugh without fear of the future

Ah, the Proverbs 31 woman: a paragon of Biblical perfection, the unattainable goal of all good Christian women. It's an overwhelming passage of scripture, really. As a woman, I look at the passage as a whole and know there is no way that I can be that perfect woman. 

But if I were to choose one verse to pray for, one verse to ask God to make real in my life right now, it would be this one. 

I know that with His Spirit in me, I can become a godly--not perfect, but godly--woman who reflects His image. So I'm praying for a covering of strength and dignity, that I can laugh without fear of the future, resting in His promise. 

It's that fear thing that I'm struggling with again. But He is bigger than my fears. And I would rather laugh fearlessly than shrink back in cowardice. 

Also, can I just say that I love that the Bible points out that this perfect woman is full of laughter. Life doesn't have to be so serious all the time. <3

Facing Fears: Moving Day

Yesterday my very best friend and blogging partner--yes, Brandie--realized a lifelong dream in moving to the beach!

I would like to take the time to say a few words on this momentous occasion:

First of all: YAY! I cannot explain how happy this makes me. Brandie and I are both beach girls at heart, and being close to the ocean is an absolute pleasure.

Also, I am trying hard not to be jealous. Something that helps with this is the thought of visiting her cute little ocean-side house ridiculously often. I get to sleep on her couch like a vagabond whenever I want!

And last but certainly not least, Brandie deserves to be commended for this move, as she is facing her fears in a big way. It takes a lot of bravery to relocate to a place where everything and everyone is new, leaving behind your comfort zone. I am proud of her for following God's lead in her life and taking a leap into the unknown.

Basically, to use the beloved old adage: you go, girl.

<3 Chelsea

P.S. --Brandie, I miss you already. It's just too weird for words that we aren't shouting out delirious conversations across our shared bathroom in the middle of the night or laughing about the nicknames we've given unsuspecting strangers over yogurt at Tango on a daily basis. But luckily when I visit you next week, we can wake up to the sound of waves, hike the bluffs and drink tea while the fog rolls back from the harbor. And I am totally into that.

Facing Fears: Being Spontaneous

Is it silly to be afraid of spontaneity? Perhaps it is. And perhaps we would't admit it or care to bring it up. But when it comes down to it, both of us are chronic planners and ponderers, carefully considering all possibilities before acting. 

We plan because jumping into things scares us. I guess we are either control freaks or very, very timid about the unknown. It seems like a silly thing to be afraid of, but hey, don't judge! Is it really any sillier than being afraid of, say, spiders? Well... yes, it is. Anyway. Reasonable or not, it's a fear. So we must conquer it.

Our Easter weekend road trip was the first truly spontaneous thing we've done together. We had kicked around the idea of visiting the Grand Canyon... "someday"... but when Brandie found that the previously-sold-out tickets to the Railroad Revival Tour had become available because of a venue change, Arizona beckoned. Brandie bravely answered the call and snapped up two tickets before I could even look at my calendar. What?

--

Brandie was determined, but a little concerned. "What if this doesn't work out?" was a question that ran repeatedly though her mind. We were committed to be in Tempe, Arizona on April 23rd with no plans how to get there or where to stay. *deep breath, deep breath, deep breath*

As scary as this leap of faith was for us chronic-planners, it ended up a wonderful success! Things fell into place that we could not have possibly orchestrated through the most careful planning.

Sure, we drove an obscene number of hours in a ridiculously short amount of time, and we didn't have a clear plan. But you know what? Nothing bad happened for our lack of planning. In fact, we were rewarded with one of the most unique concert experiences of our generation, a day at the marvelous Grand Canyon, a visit with a friend in Mesa, a stop at Joshua Tree, and plenty of road trip singalongs and bonding time.

So...as we've consistently discovered about the things that freak us out (big or small), stepping out of your comfort zone can be rewarding and memorable. Opportunities tend to present themselves to those who take risks (again, big or small), so giving up some control can be a beautiful thing.

We enjoyed this so much and can't help but think about what we would have missed if we hadn't just gone for it. We're planning to be more spontaneous in the future... ;)

How are you embracing spontaneity?

I don’t know about you, but I like to be certain.  Certainty is comfortable. I search for it and cling to it when I think I find it.

And yet I find myself in a perpetual state of upheaval and lack of knowledge, particularly as it pertains to my future, my purpose, my life. I often feel like I’m descending into a maze I have to navigate without a map. How little in this world I actually know!

So when I came across this little devotional by Oswald Chambers, it floored me. I have now determined to pray for an attitude of “breathless expectancy” instead of the sighs that usually accompany my uncertain state. Because I know that my Father is certainly good.

Peace,

Chelsea

It doth not yet appear what we shall be. - 1 John 3:2 

Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says - “Well, supposing I were in that condition …” We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in. Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, “Except ye become as little children.” Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. “Believe also in Me,” said Jesus, not - “Believe certain things about Me.” Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him. -Oswald Chambers

photo by Andre Arment 

Facing Fears

(photo credit)

We've talked a bit about fear on Words and Whimsy before, but the subject keeps rearing its ugly head in our lives; and now we're prepared to take a (more) serious tone. 

Seriously, guys, this is important.

Fear can't dictate our lives if we want to live them fully, with love and abandon.

And yet I find that I've allowed fear to hold me in a death grip much too often. I avoid making decisions that will put me in a position to be vulnerable or face something scary. I desperately evade disappointing people because I'm afraid of being wrong or of being accused of being wrong. Sometimes this leads to actual wrongdoing. Other times it simply takes me down the safe path, where I don't have to grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally. 

Giving in to fear keeps us from intimacy with other people. 

Giving in to fear keeps our growth stunted.

Giving in to fear causes us to miss out. 

Fear happens to even the bravest soul. It's natural and human to be afraid. But what we do with it determines where we go, who we know and how we grow.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." -2 Timothy 1:7

Brandie and I have decided to face our fears deliberately, to ask Why am I afraid of this? If the root cause is not something mindlessly dangerous, we will put ourselves in a position to encounter that fear and defeat it. 

(photo credit)

This means doing more of the things that scare us. Branching out, trying new things, being assertive, taking chances. Saying prayers and taking leaps into the dark.

What will this look like for us? Maybe it means taking a solo road trip, being open to a new relationship, going somewhere new, or pursuing what we love instead of what's safe and expected. Or maybe it's something seemingly-insignificant, like trying a food that's always sounded disgusting, striking up a conversation with a stranger or registering for a full-length triathlon.

Whatever it means to you, try facing up to your fears alongside us. I'm willing to bet that we'll find that there's no truth behind the terror, and we may just be stronger and more godly as a result. Bring on the growth, knowledge, newness and (maybe even) fun!

Cheers,

Chelsea

P.S. --Mom, I know you don't want us skydiving or base jumping. But as part of this anti-fear project, we just may have to face the terror of jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet. ;) More to come on that...