living vanilla

it's been a long time since i have had a good ole fashioned ice cream cone. i grew up in oklahoma where you could get the best ice cream at braum's. they had what seemed to be a whole row of hundreds of different flavors you could choose from. as a kid, i would pull my chin over the railing to just get a glimpse of all that ice cream. it was THE biggest decision of my whole life....which one do i pick? how can i possibly decide which ONE flavor to choose? i would have 23 in mind, but knew i eventually had to narrow down to that ONE. it always seemed that just as i was about to pick a new, facinating flavor to try, at the last minute, i resorted back to the vanilla with chocolate chip. while, i was never disappointed, i NEVER had the "guts" to try one of the many amazing flavors that lie in front of me. and therefore, in the big scope of things, i never really got to enjoy the FULL benefits and pleasures that braum's actually offered. i was the one who missed out. i always had the mindset of "what if" it wasn't as good as the chocolate chip? what if it tasted horrible? then i would've wasted my choice.

living for the "vanilla" eventually had to end. what is life without some risks? what is life when your motive is driven by what you think is best for you? when the reality of it is there is probably MUCH better for you, you just don't step out in faith and try it. and then...you never know.

what do you think god thinks when he looks down and sees YOU, his prized posession, curled up in your "comfort box"? proud? sad? bummed out that you are missing what HE is trying to show you, but you are too afraid to put it into ACTION? do you really think he is most concerned about your comfort? or rather your CHARACTER he is trying to build in you? hmmm..... i bet, if god could go to braum's, he woulda picked a different flavor every time and probably even requested some double sccops.

i can't wait to order the triple decker, strawberry cheesecake with graham crackers, gum balls and chocolate sauce next time. actually, i can't wait to try it today. thinking and believing are not actions, but faith is. open your mind to what god is trying to lead you to and let him lead you...you will not be disappointed. i can't tell you the last time i ordered vanilla chocolate chip, that is so boring... :)

Jeni Barbush

loveSTRONG ministries

Executive Director

www.lovestrongministries.com