Dianne Christner 
                                                        Inspirational Romance  

      

I rejoice in the Aha moments

when I recognize reoccurring themes in my life.

Themes bring meaning to my life, and understanding them helps me cope with the hours between my morning disappointment of that first gaze in the mirror and the evening ritual of removing all the decorative pillows and pulling back that bedcovers.

If you've been following, you'll remember my struggle with Fear. Before that came a season spent with Humility. And thankfully, Healing came for a visit. Now I've recognized a new theme dogging me like an ominous shadow. Themes aren't necessarily invited or welcomed fellows, you know.

Themes can be frightening creatures until we stop running from them,

and venture closer.

I repeat, they may appear repulsive at first sight. The shocking intruders seem bent on changing my direction. I glimpse Theme slinking at my heels, whispering in my ears, and eventually blocking my entire pathway. Theme's insistence, with its repetition, patterns, and similarities wears me down until I become nothing but the nap of an aged (though beloved) Persian rug.

Acknowledging and examining Theme is a painful process. So where's the rejoicing? In anticipating Theme's gifts.

Joy comes when I remember God allows Theme, controls Theme, and uses Theme to shape my nap. It's satisfying when I can quickly identify Theme. It's soothing to agree with God and accept Theme as my temporary companion.

My newest companions are sisters. Endurance and Perseverance.

They're dogging my steps and slowing my pace, for sure.

But we're getting intimate as I pray for my next book contract, struggle through diet and exercise regiments, cultivate a deeper prayer life, and learn to live with some new ailments. I live for the hope of victory and resist small-mindedness. There's no need to shrink back from a temporary companion when the Lord is my constant companion.

It'll save me stress if I just admit, "Aha! I see who you there!" So I slip my hand in God's to step across the line into an unknown future, anticipating what will happen with these new tag-alongs God's allowing in my life.

Themes are major life influencers and character reformers. These reoccurring tests, struggles, and voices force me to ask questions about life and God. Each time they pop up, I must choose. Step over the line in faith? Or shy away again?

If you don't mind sharing, is Theme stalking you?

Any Aha moments? Or is your nap wearing thin?