When A Normal Life Is An Adventurous Life

Life.

It’s been anything but normal these days. In fact, it’s been a bit of an adventure for me this spring. No wonder ADVENTURE is my word for 2018!  #adventure2018

I woke up at 3:00 a.m. on April 3 to unbelievable pain in my chest. We fearfully sped to the E.R., and after many tests, four hours later we left knowing I did not have a heart attack. Thank you, Jesus!

That event led to a string of follow up appointments and tests…

• Doctor exam. Results = normal.
• A nuclear stress test. Results = normal.
• An ultrasound. Results = normal.
• Today I had a nuclear scan of my gallbladder. Results = normal.

Sure, I’d like to have an answer for what triggered that pain in those wee hours of the morning of April 3, but I couldn’t be more pleased with these results.

I’m thankful to be normal.

normal :: conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural

In my younger years I considered normal to be boring. I mean, really, who wanted to live a normal life? An ordinary, typical, general life? I wanted the extraordinary, atypical, uncommon kind. A life where I stood out. Where I rose above circumstances. Where I did great and amazing and exceptional things.

I chuckle as I recall those days. The younger version of me thought I knew it all. I had all the answers. I had my life all mapped out and it was going to be stellar.

My life was going to be an amazing adventure.

The thing is, though, the younger me was right. It has been an amazing adventure. My life so far has been stellar. I do live an extraordinary, stand-out, rise-above-my-circumstances kind of life. But, it’s not at all what my 25-year old self expected it to be.

It’s better.

And, my test results confirm it. I’m normal. Thanks be to God!

If I’ve learned anything this spring I’ve learned God is in control and I’m not. He’s the One Who’s blessed me with this life. He is the One Who causes my heart to beat normally, my gallbladder to function the way it should, and my life to be adventurous. No, my life is not perfect, but I’m thankful it’s normal.

I imagine your life isn’t perfect either. Jesus said in this world we will have trouble. But, He also said He’s conquered this world.

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. John 16:33 MSG

The thing is, no matter what we’re experiencing in life–good and bad–it’s normal. On this side of eternity we can all expect a non-perfect life. We all have good days and we all have bad days. We have times of happy and times of sad. These are common and usual. But, the peace we experience with Jesus and the lives we live through Him allow our normal lives to be adventurous and amazing and extraordinary.

A normal life is an adventurous life.

Rejoice in being normal with me today, won’t you? What in your life can you thank God for? It may not be test results like me, but we all have something to be grateful for today. (And, if you’d feel like sharing it below, I’ll celebrate with you!)

God bless you and your normal, adventurous life, my friend!