The Adventure of Life

     You've heard the saying, "that's life" or "sounds like life." Life is a very interesting thing. We take it for granted. We wish it would fly away and when it begins to fly we try our hardest to pull back to the ground. It's mundane, it's crazy. We are joyful when it begins, we cry when it ends and somewhere in the middle we just want to pull out our hair. But, that's LIFE. I think the biggest problem with life is our perspective. I think we all have a little Belle in us, from Beauty in the Beast. We want Adventure in the great wide somewhere, but we feel stuck and agitated by what surrounds us. But, just like Belle, the biggest adventure is usually right in our backyard.

     A while ago I learned to laugh in the face of life. (Probably because if I didn't I would cry....but you didn't hear me say that.) I remember when I was younger my parents made me memorize the passage in Matthew where it says not to store treasures up on earth because they rust and get destroyed. I remember my mom reitterating that things break and get ruined. Boy, is that ever true. Trust me I know. I have three younger brothers and two little sisters, who I am positive, at times think: "whatever is yours, is mine!" But I can't really complain because growing up I was the worst, and my mother will attest. I messed up everything I touched! I was a living, breathing tornado! In the name of creativity. If I saw a pen and a piece of paper (any form of paper) it turned into a drawing pad. I have ruined many a priceless note, or grocery list with my doodles.
     The worst story I can remember is when I was around 11. (Old enough to know better right?) I was experimenting, as usually, in my new room. (With new carpet I might add.) I had a smoke bomb and decided it would be a great idea to see what was inside! (Not a good idea!!!) so grabbed a cup and tore the thing open. To honest I don't remember how. I must have just torn it. But however I did it I got it open. Have you ever seen the inside of a smoke bomb? Its like powdery; and this one was yellow, so yellowish powder. So, in my great creative mind (haha) I decided it would be great to make something out of this! Maybe paint or something. I am positive that I had no idea what I was making at the time.       But I put some water in my cup, added the powder and started stirring. (I am still in my bedroom!!) to make a long excruciating day short, I spilled, stained and ruined new carpet and got in BIG trouble. Ya, that was a typical day in the life of young Jp. My mother is one patient woman! If you go Into my room today you will see a big yellow spot on the middle of the floor. (It's still there haunting me) I wish my mom could have laughed at that.

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. -Joseph Campbell 

It's hard not be distracted by the things that don't go the way we planned. It's easy to get upset and irritated. But then again what's the point of crying over spilled milk. Like my bridesmaid dress. *sigh* That one I did want to cry over. A beautiful dress. It was modest and adorable and I loved it! A rare thing in today's world. Sad, that all it took to rip it from my closet was an accidental dyer cycle. Yep, I threw in the dryer by mistake and now my childhood baby doll could wear it. (I might be exaggerating a little. But not much.) That was a sad day. But if I let days like that depress me I would be depressed all the time! I guess what I am trying to say is see them as adventures, a chance to change, to learn. Maybe they will end up being a good story you can one day laugh at. Like my gas station story, or my river story, or the many, multiple car stories.......don't even ask right now. Whether its being late for a flight, or getting a little lost on a dirt road, God can use anything to lead you where he needs you for that moment. There may be a person you need to encourage, or maybe you need to learn a hard lesson, or maybe he just wanted you away from everything you know so he could have you all to himself. Whatever it is, it's a great adventure. One that has a purpose and an ending, a good one. Because that is who God is.