Light for the JourneySample

“The Ministry in Mellowing Out”

I recently had a front-row seat to a real-life comedy show: my daughter and niece playing with their grandfather, my dad, the man formerly known as The Enforcer. Growing up, he was the king of “because I said so,” the destroyer of nicknames, and the sworn enemy of all things remotely resembling bathroom humor. You so much as whispered “tooot” around him, and you’d be grounded until the next Olympics.

But now? He’s out here chuckling at the most ridiculous nicknames (“Grand-Dot,” really?) and belly-laughing at every comical sound effect like he’s auditioning for America’s Got Giggles. Who is this man? And more importantly, where was he when I jokingly called him by his first name in 1990 and got a whole sermon on respect?

Watching him roll around on the sofa with the kids, I didn’t know whether to laugh or file a complaint. But one thing was clear: he had changed. He had embraced a version of himself I never thought possible: relaxed, goofy, and free. And that’s when it hit me… maybe it was time I unclenched, too.

Somewhere between trying to be the perfect mom, the responsible employee, and the woman who never forgets to send thank-you texts, I’d wrapped myself in a spiritual and emotional straitjacket. I was uptight—mentally, emotionally, and even literally (those jeans weren’t built for inflexibility). I was sweating the small stuff, like unmatched socks, Cheetos on the rug, and crayon marks on the wall, when I could have been soaking in the moment's joy.

So, I decided: I’m loosening up. Not in a “let the kids swing from the chandelier” kind of way, but in a “laugh when plans change” and “choose joy over control” kind of way. My new parenting mantra is: firm but fun. At work? Structure with a side of spontaneity. In life? Flexibility seasoned with faith yet grounded in kingdom principles.

And I’m anchoring it all in Philippians 4:12 (NIV), where Paul writes:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”

Paul knew how to roll with the punches, whether well-fed or hangry (my interpretation). If he could find contentment in every circumstance, surely, I can survive a toddler meltdown at Target without losing my religion.

So the real takeaway is:

Flexibility isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom wrapped in grace. It’s freedom in motion. When we let go of control, we make space for God to move and for joy to surprise us.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for showing me the beauty in being flexible. Help me release my grip on the things that don’t matter, and embrace the joy of living lightly and freely in You. Teach me to laugh more, stress less, and pivot gracefully when life doesn’t go as planned. May my flexibility reflect my faith, and my peace reflect Your presence. Amen.

Reflection

1. In what area of your life have you been holding on too tightly, and how can you begin surrendering it to God?

2. How can flexibility help you experience more joy, peace, and connection with others this week?