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Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Greatest Show on Earth

There are times when I wake up with a tune in my head. (Admittedly, it's usually an 80's tune that finds it's way into my head for a "blast from the past" or a Christian music tune that sets the tone for the day.)

This was a different tune. I couldn't quite figure out where God was going with this one.

You all know the tune. You've heard it since you were a kid...every year when the CIRCUS came to town.

"da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, duh..."
(Click here if you can't get the tune in your head)
You've GOT to be kidding...

THE CIRCUS TUNE?
Where could God possibly be going with this.

The next thing I knew I had visions of cotton candy and peanuts dancing in my head, but I began to see a few things in a way I'd never seen them before.

I am the Ringmaster (sans the top hat and sequins) of this family and we have considerably more than 3 rings in this show of ours.

I juggle too. I juggle schedules, laundry piles, menus, bills and holidays.

I tightrope walk. This Circus has 2 adolescent girls, and some testosterone too; a tightrope walker is a MUST.

I've also been known to tame a few lions and breathe a little fire as well.

~LIFE IS A CIRCUS....~

Daily juggling acts, taming wild beasts, teetering on the edge and balancing acts are all part of this daily life we lead. In a word, it's a circus without the lights of the Big Top flashing.

THEN it occurred to me, there are also CLOWNS! You know the ones who ride in on silly mini cars, with big shoes and bright noses. Those clowns make the Circus complete.

Those clumsy, colorfully clad clowns make us LAUGH. Perhaps God wanted me to notice the "CLOWNS" in my life today. Those moments or people that make me smile or even laugh out loud! While our days are filled with balancing acts and juggling, the clowns bring us JOY!

Where is the pure JOY in your life? The moments that bring a smile to your face, you know the moments I mean, BIG SMILE moments.

These joys surround us every day.

It's in the knock-knock joke of an 8 year old...
In an unannounced surprise chocolate bar hand delivered from a friend...
In a hug from the man you married many years ago...
In a handwritten note from a far away friend...

Daily life can be a Circus, filled with dizzying distractions and balancing acts, but Scripture reminds us,


While Ringling Brothers lays claim to the "Greatest Show on Earth," we rest in the peace that "THE GREATEST SHOW" is yet to come...

Father,
Most days my life resembles a Circus. Circus life can be dizzying. The daily balancing acts and juggling can overcome me. Help me to notice the JOYS that come from You. As I go about my daily life I humbly ask you to be my "Ringmaster" in the Circus of life. Father, guide my ways, guard my words and open my eyes to the Joys that I often miss. Help me Father to see my life as "the greatest show on earth."
Amen

Questions for Reflection:

Do you ever feel as though your life is a Circus?

How can you become more aware of JOY moments sent into your life by God?










Join Lori daily at her personal blogspot, where she can be found daily in the Center Ring.






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10 Comments:

Blogger truly blessed said...

I love it, love it, love it!

I love the "taming a few lions and breathe a little fire" quote. You've got me laughing! :) (I love your pic too!)
Life IS a circus. I have my very own. It's quite a spectacular show. Filled with chaos, lots of different sights,sounds and smells. There are some scary moments, some times that I'm just holding my breath and others that I'm truly laughing out loud.
Just imagine what the "Greatest Show" will be like! :)
Thanks for the thoughts. What a great way to start my day.
Love you.

September 18, 2008 at 5:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder to look for the joy!

September 18, 2008 at 6:29 AM  
Blogger Carmen said...

lovely imagery! I should be, however, juggling some major stuff just now instead of sitting here....

jugglin'!
...or is it jigglin' (let's not go there)

;o)

September 18, 2008 at 8:30 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great analogy! It is so true! As we run our circus...doesn't it make you wonder who "the audience" is? Whose watching the "performance"? I guess that is where we need to remember that if we do it well...and for the Lord...those who are watching will be pointed to God! Pretty cool, girl! Pretty, cool!

September 18, 2008 at 9:21 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great analogy! It is so true! As we run our circus...doesn't it make you wonder who "the audience" is? Whose watching the "performance"? I guess that is where we need to remember that if we do it well...and for the Lord...those who are watching will be pointed to God! Pretty cool, girl! Pretty, cool!

September 18, 2008 at 9:21 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Always love your voice and your special way of looking at things. It sinks straight to my heart. I will NEVER forget this analogy, and I will be repeating it often. My kids afford me so many of those true joy moments if I will just let them, and music does as well. Yes, even an 80s song, cuz Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, you know...

September 18, 2008 at 2:10 PM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

GIRLFRIEND!!! I LOVED that! I found myself "humming" right along...still it's stuck there!
MIZ Knight got the sweetest purple card yesterday! REALLY was the brightest spot in her day too!

September 18, 2008 at 4:41 PM  
Blogger Susan said...

Oh Lori,

This was great!! Talk about a circus over here. You made me really smile today.

What a spirit of JOY you have! You gracefully bring humor into everything you write.

You are a breath of fresh air out here in the blogosphere. I'm so grateful for the day I discovered All You Have To Give.

Thanks for the a great job you do joggling so MANY things and blessings so many lives~

Blessings to you my sweet friend.

September 18, 2008 at 5:32 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

I should NEVER have clicked that link...if you don't have a circus song in your head, don't go looking for one! :)

I've been working on God-awareness in everyday life. If I'm conscious that God is watching, as Ringmaster (or as my audience like Gina said) then I should be more aware of those little joys - because I'm more aware of His presence in general. If I can get frustrated by the little things, why can't I find joy in the little things as well?

Great devotion, loved the images too.

September 20, 2008 at 10:49 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

Lori, this was great! I think I needed to be reminded of the fun of juggling and tightrope walking too. Somedays the circus can seem overwhelming, but the clowns make it very entertaining. Keeping my eyes open for those clown moments! :)

September 21, 2008 at 1:36 PM  

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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

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