TAKE ME AWAY

What do Harlequin romance novels, drugs, and alcohol have in common?  They can be used to take me away. 

Do you remember the Calgon commercials and their phrase take me away?  When this was popular, we had moved to another state, with two children ages 5 weeks and 4 years, and a mother-in-law with dementia.  Life was full of challenges and I often wanted to shout, “Take me away!”  Instead of shouting, I read Harlequin romance novels.  Why?

They were like the Hallmark movies today.  From the first page, I knew what was going to happen.  The woman would hate the man.  They would fall in love.  Something would be taken out of context and they would breakup.  Just before the plane took off, the truth would be revealed, followed by a makeup kiss and all was good in paradise.  BUT for a short amount of time, I didn’t have to think.  Toys magically put themselves in the toy box.  Dementia was not part of any character.  And supper appeared out of nowhere.  

That is until I would realize how quiet it had become.  Quiet, when there are children in the house, is never a good thing.  The heroine would have to wait on the happily ever after ending.  I closed the book, took a deep breath, and came back to reality.

REALITY

Reality is what we are trying to get away from.  We want to be taken away from the stress of life.  The trials of life.  The drudgery part of life.  We want to have the toys pick themselves up.  We want loved ones to be healthy.  We want the food to magically appear on the table and to qualify for the James Beard Award. 

Take me away has many forms.  Thankfully mine came in the printed version … books … which could easily be put down.  For others, take me away comes in the form of alcohol or drugs or other addictions.  Returning to reality from addictions can take years or a lifetime.  Sadly, some never find the strength to return.

Life is real and comes with trials and stress and drudgery.  We do not like them.  We do not want them.  But there they are.

REALITY II

If anyone had the right to be worried about reality, it was Joshua.  His reality changed when he became the one to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  God told Joshua:

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.     Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous when you face reality.  Do not be terrified or discouraged.  After all, the Lord your God is right there with you.  He’s got you covered!!!