Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Friday, October 10, 2014

Courage to Live

Monogrammed pumpkins by "Grand Mommy" for her precious grandsons!  This is the life.


You turn on the radio, the television, the computer, Face Book and any media to hear the latest report.  Yes, I live very near Dallas, Texas (within 30 minutes) and we are now known for the first victim of Ebola to die in the United States; therefore, we live with daily Ebola alerts.

Before Ebola alerts there were alerts for West Nile virus and before that we had daily counts of those infected with and dead from the flu.

If it isn't a health alert, there is something else. There was a time we were cautioned to not gather in large arenas due to terrorist threats on America.

As I strolled, pushing my grandson's stroller, I thought, "you know Lord, it takes Courage to live."

All through scripture the Lord tells us to have courage.  You have to have courage to live each day with all the things threatening to take life from us.
Another pumpkin for one of my three little pumpkins!

As I contemplated not going to our Texas State Fair this year, I decided I was going to live.  As the fear is released through all forms of media, I realized that it takes from us the same thing we are trying to keep.............our life!  We stop living in order to preserve our life.

God didn't give us a spirit of fear.  He sent His son so we could have life and have it more abundantly.  He is the one who knows the day of our birth and the day our earthly lives come to an end. If I allow the enemy to rob me of the life I am trying to preserve, then I have forgotten who holds life in His hands.

Does that mean not to be wise?  No, but even having children takes courage.   Statistics show that one out of every four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage.  I am one of those stats, having had three miscarriages, but I also chose not to let life be taken way by statistics.  Although some never conceive, if I had given into the fear, I wouldn't have the six blessings that call me Mom today.

I will close this week attending a funeral, but I opened today with a resolve to live life to it's fullest and not let the news of the sinful world rob me. The "what-if's " will zap the life straight out of us while we are still alive.   I want to walk in courage to live life.  In so doing, I am also honoring those who have been taken from this life earlier than we would have wanted.  Isn't our best gift to our Creator one of living life to its fullest?   Do you need some courage to live life?   Now where are my tennis shoes so Benjamin and I can go to the Great State Fair of Texas?!?!?!


16 Joining in with more words:

Debbie said...

AMEN to all of this. I couldn't agree more! I do my best sometimes to not even listen to the news as it seems as if there is NEVER anything to report that doesn't stir fear and despair. Of course we do need to keep informed, we need to pray, we need to do what we can, and yet...we MUST live our lives while they are ours to live. To give into fear is just where the enemy wants us. God knows the number of our days. No amount of fretting will change that. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He holds the stars and sun and moon in the heavens, and He cares for us. ENJOY the fair!

Rebecca said...

I SO agree with you Janette! Glad you're choosing faith over fear. Wisdom over panic. Courage over withdrawal.

Those monogrammed pumpkins are delightful!

Enjoy the fair!

Sandy said...

I also agree with all you have said, Janette. It is going to take faith and courage and knowing who we are in Christ to live in this world as things worsen before the return of our Lord. Hope you and Benjamin had an especially wonderful time at the fair.
Big Hugs!!

Nancy said...

You are so right…it does take courage to have kids this day and time…Our only hope is in our Father's protection and remembering that he is in control….
I hope you and Benjamin had fun at the fair….

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

A very profound post!!! And, yes, it does take courage to LIVE. Thanks for an inspiring post!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Yes ... indeed. It does take courage to live (and to die, for that matter.)

Your grand boys are darling.

fondly,
Glenda

Vickie said...

Thank you for this great reminder, Janette. Just what I needed to hear today. Scary times we live in, but it's been that way ever since man began on this earth. We must go on and keep living - and live without that fear. God is in control. I don't want to live in fear. I've been in such a painfully, deep hole since I lost my sister. My daughter just graduated nursing school and works at a hospital in Ft Worth. Too close for comfort. She knows fellow nurses at Presby. She has a job to do and I don't want to instill a spirit of fear in her. Need to watch my words...and apply them to my own life. I used to live abundantly and I want to again - despite all the dangers out there. I have to live on for my sister and her kids, and my kids, and now our grand babies (mine is due in a couple of weeks)!!! Thanks for your post! (your little grands are precious! and so are their pumpkins!)

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Living life to the fullest!!! YAY!!! I am with you Janette! You go live that life that God has given you.. This year God has made me even more aware of how precious the gift of every new day is... I want to be intentional in living this life of freedom in HIM daily... There are so many adventures waiting if only we let go of fear..

I have been away from blogging since the beginning of summer due to some unexpected changes in life...but all is good.. God made sure of that. I hope you will stop by and see me when you get time Janette.

Hugs,
Lee Ann

Kathleen said...

When you consider how many people die in car accidents, it would be easy to make a case for never driving again. I'm with you, living in courage & loving life, knowing full well that my times are in HIS hands!

Blessings,
Kathleen

Suzy said...

Yes,we must continue to live life to the fullest and know that God is in control. These things are all part of the plan for the end days.

Sharon said...

Oh Janette, I loved this! It spoke so powerfully to my very heart. I am a germaphobe, and so these daily reports of Ebola are very scary - and I don't even live in Texas! I find myself incessantly washing my hands, and fretting over catching something that might take my life. Meanwhile, my life is being sucked away by fear.

Yes, cautious is good. But giving in to inordinate fear is not good.

This was the line that leaped off the page for me:

"If I allow the enemy to rob me of the life I am trying to preserve, then I have forgotten who holds life in His hands."

Oh yes!!

Lord, help us all to live courageously while trusting that every day belongs to You.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)

GOD BLESS!

Maryann said...

Amen to this, the enemy wants us to be fearful, but God is still on the throne, His is still in control, He has ordered our steps. There is so much to be fearful of these days, and I can get fearful when I focus on what is happening all around us but we must put our faith in Him. I'm glad you all went to the fair, hope you enjoyed yourselves...you choose faith

Debbie Petras said...

It definitely takes courage to live this life! And I couldn't do it without abiding in Him. He is my strength and my Rock. Each day I cling to Him.

Last night I heard that a nurse from the Dallas hospital was infected. How very sad to hear this! I've taken care of infectious patients in the past and a specific protocol needs to be established to protect the caregivers. I pray that the CDC and hospital administration will do all they can to avoid this from happening. I will be praying for this nurse and that others won't be infected.

When you mentioned the state fair, I remembered that is something my mother-in-law has talked about for years. She and her husband lived in Dallas when they first married and my husband was born there. She loved going to the State Fair and often talked about going again. Enjoy Janette!

Love you,
Debbie

Christine said...

Oh Janette, this is just what the "Dr. ordered". Yes, I agree, we need to have courage and LIVE!
Smiling from ear to ear as I go about living and not fearing.

Great post!

Christine said...

I forgot to tell you, your grandchildren are adorable. Isn't being a Grandma just the best!

Tanna said...

Yes, it does take courage... and trust and faith... Fortunately, Our Father is in charge... and no matter... out fate is in His hands.

Love those pumpkins, Janette... and, of course, those little angels!!! You are so blessed! hugs ~ t.

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