The Day I Lost My "Cool"

There was a point in my life that I thought I was pretty cool. Hip. With it. But I distinctly remember the day I found out I wasn't.

Back when Kaelee was in the 1st grade (& yes, that's been awhile ago since she just turned 21), I got to go along on a field trip at the end of the school year to the park. This is where the dreaded moment happened in the midst of a conversation with a boy a bit too big for his britches.

Me, just standing there minding my own business...BFBB (Big for Britches Boy) approaches seemingly cool mom.

Me: What's up?

BFBB: Kaelee's hot.

Me: Well, tell her she can take her jacket off.

BFBB: *roll eyes* No, she's hot, like really pretty.

And there you have it. Coolness gone. Over. Just like that.

But, guess what? After the initial shock to my ego, I realized there was something so freeing in that moment. The burden was gone to live up to any expectations & I could enjoy the moments of dancing in front of my kids friends knowing full well that I may be the object of a few snickers & rolling of the eyes.

If you've read this far, hang with me for a minute. *Bribe* There are sweet pics at the end!

This story came to mind b/c over the last few days, out of nowhere, I have received messages from internet friends that are ever so sweet & encouraging...one even told me I was "cool"! I tell ya, never underestimate the power of a thoughtful, encouraging word!! But even more than making me feel good, these words came at a time that I believe God has been working on my heart, & these words were just hitting it home!

In this world, people have come up with all sorts of rules, guidelines, etc., that seem to make for a perfect, cool life. You know, fancy stuff, lots of money, 2.3 kids...As I've been reading some things for a bible study, all I can see is Jesus bucking man's system, man's idea of normal, man's idea of acceptable, man's idea of EVERYTHING. And He totally got eyes rolling, snickers behind His back, & plenty of ridicule. But He didn't care what people thought. He did what he knew God had asked of him.

You know what? My life is cool. Is it perfect? NO!! But it's cool because of Him. It's cool because He invites me to live outside the box the world has created for itself. It's cool because of His grace & mercy. It's cool because sweet friends send me messages encouraging & challenging me to live & love more like the coolest person I know...Jesus.

A couple of perfect examples of "coolness" that have entered my life all because I let go of being "cool" in this world:

With Much Peace & Love ~ Dardi