Charades

READY8 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV

AIM8 Who remembers how to play the game Charades? It’s the game where you have to act out a word, phrase, or show title without using words in order for your teammates to guess the correct answer. Have you ever felt like your life is just one big charade? You know, you go through life from one experience to the next and after awhile, you are just going through the motions. It’s easy to put your life on autopilot and just let it all cruise on by one day after the next. It’s just as easy to play charades with your emotions. I’m sure we’ve all played this charade card before; you know the one, when someone asks, “How are you today?” and you answer, “Fine!” Are you really fine or is it just a good way to dodge answering the real question at hand? I would venture to guess that many of us have put our lives on autopilot so often that “fine” just becomes an automated response, when the truth of the matter is that we are far from “fine.” So why don’t we answer that question honestly? Perhaps we are in a situation where we just don’t have the time to explain why we aren’t fine. Sometimes, we truly don’t want to open up and be transparent to the person asking the question. More often than not, our life appears just like the lives of those around us and “fine” is as sufficient an answer as any. God doesn’t want us to live life on autopilot. He wants us to do life together and share each other’s burdens. If your life has been stuck on autopilot, or you’ve said you’re fine when realistically you are not, take a stab at being honest with the next person who asks how you are doing. You might be surprised at the advice you’re given or the empathy you’re shown. Remember, life is meant to be enjoyed together so jump in and buckle up! The ride might be bumpy but we’ll share some great stories, make some lasting memories and hopefully arrive at to the finish line together feeling more than “fine.”

FIRE!8 Call or email a friend and ask her how things are going in her life. If she answers “Fine”, be sure to probe for a more definitive answer. She may need to know you care and want to be there for her tough times, or she may need an extra cheerleader to help her celebrate life’s joys.

Be Excellent!
Lori