Skip to main content

Seriosityness and Red Vines


The Topical Bloggers.  The group, albeit small at this time, that weekly write on what is presented as a singular subject. I suppose if you want a glimpse into how a person's mind really works, their written thoughts are the window to the soul, especially since the Topical Bloggers give that glimpse in written form.

Not a very profound statement, if you ask me.  And that's what this week's topic is all about:  Our Recent Most Profound Insights.  And here is mine:

I've been dealing with some serious stuff lately (who hasn't?).  But the stuff isn't life - it's just part of life.  Life is meant to be full of family, friends, love, laughter, spa days, new shoes, and Red Vines!  The serious stuff makes what makes what life is meant to be so much sweeter.

It's a lot of hard work, dealing with the seriosityness of life.  Oh, and in case you're wondering, "seriosityness" is in fact a word.  If you google it, you'll see it has been used by other people in their own writings.  Anyway, back on topic.  If kept to ourselves, seriosityness leads to a whole host of health issues, including stress, stomach ulcers, insomnia, headaches, irritability, and people just not wanting to be around us.  No, seriosityness is meant to be shared with one another.  Notice I said "shared" and not "dumped on."  Just as my serious stuff is my serious stuff, yours is yours.  Just like our toys, what is mine is mine, but when I am willing to share I know I'll get it back.

Sharing ... that was the word I was given on my Epiphany Star at the beginning of 2010.  (For more on the Epiphany Star tradition click here.)  Think about it ... if you have a group of people sharing their seriosityness issues, you might think that the serious stuff would multiply, no?  But it's just the opposite.  The more you and I share our seriosityness, the easier it becomes to bear.  Because we made the decision to share, it is no longer just you or just me carrying the load; you and I now have my friends and family helping us, whether through sharing similar experiences, advice, helping each other see just a bit of silliness in the seriosityness, or just praying to find Jesus' unforced rhythms of grace.  The issue is still returns to its rightful owner, but sharing brings the joy of bonding with friends and family, and with that come spa days, new shoes and Red Vines.  Well, maybe not so many spa days and new shoes.

But there are always Red Vines!


"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." - Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Comments

bvaliant4him said…
Then I wish you a life a time generous friends and lots of red vines!
5:06 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stories ... We all have one ...

Isaiah 20:2-   At that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot. In this passage God sends Isaiah to give a warning to Israel.   In addition to using words, God instructs Isaiah to do something more.   God instructs him to walk naked and barefoot for three years!    Certainly, Isaiah felt uncomfortable about what he was being called to do, but remained obedient.   The message, Isaiah was delivering far outweighed the embarrassment of being uncovered. Sometimes when we feel the prompting of God’s Spirit to share how Jesus has changed our lives we may feel uncomfortable with what God is asking us to do.   We may feel embarrassed or ashamed to “expose” our past to others for fear that we may be ridiculed or rejected if people knew what we would rather keep hidden.   We all hav...
3 comments
Read more

Great!

Psalm 145:3  Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. All throughout history there have been men and woman who were considered great for one reason or another.   Thomas Edison was a great inventor; Madame Curie, a great scientist; Michael Jordan, a great basketball player.   Those who grew up in the 30’s and 40’s are said to be of the Greatest Generation.   And I can’t forget - Al and Martha Thuente are great parents (I ought to know – they’re mine)!   Usually what makes a person great is his or her accomplishments or reputation of doing good things.   But a person’s deeds and goodness have a limit.   No matter how great someone is, he can   only know so much, can do so much, can give so much, because his wisdom, ability and resources are finite.   Greatness can only be so great.   When we think of God, his greatness is limitless.   Even the greatest of men could not have created...
2 comments
Read more

Cardboard Prison

When I was very young I would often sit in a corner and think.  It wasn’t because I was in trouble – I was just a very introspective kind of person, even as a child.  And often my dad would ask, “What are you doing, Mary?”  “Oh, just thinking.”  “What are you thinking about?”  “Ooh, nothing…”   “Well, how do you know when you’re finished?”  and I’d usually let out a little giggle, and be off to do something else. It is often said that the times that people are most reflective about their lives    is during times of stillness, when in the quiet all they have is their thoughts.   Imagine with me if you will, that we are peering into thoughts of someone who is in that place of reflection.   Now before we go there, let me say that this person whose thoughts we are about to delve into IS NOT ME.   It is a fictional person we’ll call Alex.   Alex can be representative of anybody.   So without further ado, let’s see w...
1 comment
Read more