Disclaimer: A friend said not to get too weird about this Jesus stuff to the point that people avoid me and my writing. I promised myself the same thing, not to be too weird and Jesus-freaky. But, y’all, if we don’t recognize He’s our happiness and everything else, we’re just going to be downright weird and freaky without Him. So, here’s to writing one more Jesus-freaky blog post, and hoping y’all hang around for it and more. I love you and Him dearly.

It is written: “As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.” Romans 14:11 NIV

My friend’s comment on yesterday’s blog post led into today’s topic so perfectly, I wanted to share part of it. Betty said, “I too wanted and thought it was possible to have the happily ever after life, but … I didn’t know what that was.” 

She went on, “I was grateful I learned about Jesus in school. I learned the Joy of the Lord is great.”

Her comment made me think about the greatest lesson I learned at a Christian writers conference, and it wasn’t about writing. One of the presenters at the conference (who I became friends with) told this story. 

She was on staff at a former conference when she and another staff member were called out of their workshops. An attendee got word that her young grandson had died. The conference organizer asked my friend and her fellow staff member to sit with the grandmother until family could get to her. As the three of them sat together in a private room, my friend noticed that every time she said “Jesus,” the grandmother’s breathing slowed and she visibly relaxed for that second. 

By the end of their time together, my friend sat holding the grandmother and repeated again and again, “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.”

Their example made an impression although I couldn’t apply it yet to my own life. I kept thinking Prince Charming, a book contract, and enough money would calm me down and make me happy. I jumped around for years from person to project to striving for prosperity. 

Although my circumstances weren’t tragic like the grandmother’s, I experienced the pain of not leaning into Jesus just like all of us do until we finally give up and give into Him. 

There’s only One who settles me down, fills me up, and makes happiness possible …  

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.        

In This Together, 
Kim

FYI: I’m blogging my book titled On The Other Side of Trying Hard: Healing, Happiness, and Holiness. Because the blog posts will eventually be an entire manuscript instead of stand-alone stories, some posts may leave you hanging. I hope you’ll hang in here with us anyway ‘cause a happy ending is coming. Each blog post title includes the chapter title first. The phrase in parentheses is one subheading within the chapter. I’d love to hear your reflections, questions, and suggestions. I’m over-the-top grateful you’re here.