CHOOSING JOY

CHOOSING JOY
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 by CYNTHIA BAUGHAN WHEATON

Categories: devotional

PLEASE WELCOME

CYNTHIA BAUGHAN WHEATON

ANYTHING GOES

Are you someone who tends to be joyful about things after they are over and everything turned out okay? I am. Jesus said we should not worry -- but we do.

When my daughter was in high school, Marilyn practically lived at a nearby horse barn. She found great peace, not only in riding but also in grooming the horses – even happily mucking out the stalls. Although we did not fully understand her interest, my husband and I applauded her hobby, especially since she was more than willing to have a part-time job helping with the horses.

Over a period of years, she began participating in local, then regional, horse shows. At one of the bigger events, she said, “Mom! They are finally going to have an adult lead-line class – tonight! Will you participate?”

Let me explain. In lead-line classes, an experienced horse person uses a rope to lead a horse around the ring, ridden by a novice or non-horse-person. Usually, these classes are limited to young children. In this case, adults could ride.

Unfortunately, I have been scared of horses since I was six years old when one ran away with me. You may understand my two reactions. Internal: “Yikes!” External: “Sure, Honey, I told you I would.”

All day I worried about wearing her flowing outfit and getting on and off that big horse. The evening began with her long-awaited competition in a costume class, where her riding skills were judged. I watched Marilyn gallop around the ring at maximum speed, in the same “Lawrence of Arabia” costume I would put on. Too soon, she eased down from the horse after collecting her ribbon. Immediately, she helped me dress. I used a step stool to point one foot into the stirrup, throwing my other leg over the saddle and easing into the seat. Well, that went okay, but I was concerned that the horse would want to gallop more -- with me. The saddle was English, and unlike a Western saddle, there was nothing to hold onto except the reins.

My first words were, “Marilyn, how am I going to get off this horse?” Nursing a broken toe, I was really concerned.

“Mom, just live in the moment. Enjoy yourself and stop worrying about what comes next.”

Even as a teenager, she knew me well. I took her advice and rode for about 20 minutes as she managed the lead rope. He obeyed her while I enjoyed a carefree ride. Then, despite my earlier fears, I easily dismounted.

All that worry – what a waste. I have spent too much time worrying about the past or the future, and not participating in the present. Life’s ride is more joyful when we trust the One leading us.

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ABOUT CYNTHIA BAUGHAN WHEATON

Cynthia Baughan Wheaton offers encouragement, practical advice, and spiritual insight as The Entrepreneur’s Friend®. After earning an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill, Cynthia spent 9 years managing new ventures and 25+ years as a business consultant, while active in church and community. Cynthia and her husband nurtured their two children into purpose-driven adulthood while building their own successful business and working together from home. Her concise and readable book, Are You Ready to Start Your Own Business, includes a section on prayer and is used as a textbook at two colleges. Her second book, Make Your Home Office Work, will be available in early 2022.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-baughan-wheaton-78a8267/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theentrepreneursfriend4growth/

Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/cynthia.wheaton.author

Visit her website for helpful, searchable articles on self-employed work and life:

Website: www.theentrepreneursfriend.com/

For interviews, speaking events, book signings, or comments contact Cynthia at: Cynthia@TheEntrepreneursFriend.com.

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