Sometimes You Just Need Fun

I’m not sure when it happened. It must’ve been pretty sneaky because generally speaking I would never just blindly agree to it. When did we stop doing the fun thing first?

Now, before you go all, “We’re grown adults and we have responsibility” on me, just don’t. Clearly I understand that. But I’m beginning to think that part of our problem is that we’ve lost any sense of rationale. We’ve forgotten how to draw healthy boundaries. Let’s just consider some of my thoughts.

I launched myself into adult responsibility when I was 17 years old, pregnant, and married. Instead of hanging out with friends at Pizza King on a Friday night after the football game, I was probably going to the laundry mat. When my classmates were making plans for sneaking mom or dad’s car to Broad Street to cruise, I was probably looking through the couch cushions for spare change to put gas in the car. My choices. Choices have consequences.

But somewhere along the way I guess I started making subtle shifts in my choices that often resulted in not having much fun. I was even a “stick in the mud” more times than I ever intended to be. Did I want to go out with friends for an evening? Absolutely! But my to-do list is still hanging on the fridge and there’s obviously no one else in the house that’s gonna do any of those things. Staying at home must be the right choice. I’m now 55 years old and I still grapple with these choices. Having fun can’t always be the wrong decision.

Grant reminded me of this the other day. (He had an elementary teacher that called him an “old soul”; he’s always been wise beyond  his years.) He’s recently accepted a promotion which carries with it a lot of responsibility and stress. Something of utmost importance is understanding how to navigate and manage the responsibility and stress. He came home after work on Tuesday prepared to get the lawnmower out for that first beautiful mow launching the smell of fresh grass into the air. But inside that same garage that houses the lawnmower is a ’51 Chevy. It was my dad’s, a retirement gift from Mary Jo. That car is sweet grace. (Yes, God can use a car to do that.) In that moment a wise decision was made. The yard can wait. The road calls.

Abundant life looks very different to each of us. To some it’s defined by money. Others are held by status or position. The list is endless. But when I think of abundant life, I definitely need FUN in a variety of packages. So if you need to find me, I’m hoping I’m doing something besides laundry. Maybe next time Grant comes my direction and we go get some ice cream. Let me know if we should pick you up.

John 10:10 ~ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.