The 2015 Mason County Fair is now over… *cue sad violin music*
I love the fair so stinking much. For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been going to the fair with my family since I was a little girl. So many of my best childhood and teenage memories took place at the fair. It has a special place in my heart.
Last week at the fair, I had the opportunity to see many friends who I hadn’t seen in a long time, and I also made some new friends, which is awesome!! That’s what the fair is all about…family, friends, and food 🙂 Gotta love some deep fried Oreos.
Many people at the fair asked about my upcoming mission trip. Some people asked, “Aren’t you scared?” to which I replied, “Yes…but I’m more scared of not going.”
I explained that I’m more afraid of the blessings I would miss out on if I didn’t say “yes” to God and this adventure He has called me on. I’m afraid of the consequences of not following God’s plan for my life.
Yes I may be in dangerous situations over the next year in these foreign countries, but those dangerous situations are my opportunities to exercise and strengthen my faith. These situations are my chance to show God that I really trust Him in all situations. My safety can’t be guaranteed even in my own home in West Virginia. My location doesn’t protect me…God protects me. He is my Shield and my Provider. If God is for me, who can be against me? No weapon formed against me shall stand (Isaiah 54:17). To everyone at the fair who asked about my trip, thank you so much. I love talking about what God’s doing in my life, and your encouragement means the world to me.
Also, I look back on the fair week and realize that I was subconsciously living every moment to the fullest, because I knew in 3 short weeks I would be leaving West Virginia.
I sat down and had deep conversations with people I barely knew. I spent time with my little siblings, even if that meant just following them around the carnival or watching the motocross together. I said “Hey, how are you?” to everyone possible. I had 1 snowcone in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and 1 more in the evening, without caring about the sugar crash or calories consumed.
I had an emotional meeting with a friend and received a huge blessing in the process. I sang and danced with my friends, second row from the concert stage where the Swon Brothers performed. I wandered the goat barn, admiring how each goat looks like it’s smiling.
I watched my little sister from a distance, reflecting on the beautiful person she has become and the joy on her face during her reign as the Mason County Fair Queen. I had unexpected phone calls, donations, encouragement, and prayers poured over me all week, and I soaked it all in and asked God to bless those people for blessing me. I rode through the fair on a golf cart with my sister, feeling the breeze blow through my hair, thinking about God and how He’s like the breeze in so many ways.
But something I realized is…shouldn’t I have been living like this before I knew I was leaving the country for a year? Shouldn’t all of us be living each day like it’s our last here on earth? No one is guaranteed a tomorrow. This shouldn’t scare you if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but instead it should help you realize that each moment is a blessing from God, and we need to make the most out of it.
We need to be continually speaking life into people. When you utter a harsh word to someone, recognize your mistake and ask for forgiveness.
What’s the only thing we can take with us to Heaven? People. So this is where we need to be investing our time. Relationships with people. God loves people, and so should we.
We need to treat strangers like it’s their birthday, like they are special. We need to treat everyone like it’s the last time we will see them.
We need to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (James 1:19).
Slow down// have authentic conversations// hug more// laugh// get out of your comfort zone at least once today// smile all the time// be aware of God’s love, mercy, and goodness
