We celebrated Ethel’s life of 103 1/2 years a few days ago! We celebrated because she is now in heaven! She was my family’s adopted grandmother. We celebrated that as well! Ethel was good at……. BEING Ethel.

BEING Ethel meant that you were good at helping other people. After 103 years I’m sure she had a big influence on lots of folks, and also on lots of different generations. She was a great neighbor to so many friends. She could cook apple fritters, chicken and dumplings, cakes, and on and on.

But BEING Ethel mainly meant being comfortable with who you are. For me personally all those years I saw Ethel BEING Ethel,….. well it was comforting to me. She gave me a sense of relaxation if that makes any sense.

See, Ethel was always easy going, fun to be around. She had a glimmer in her eyes. She was quick with that short quiet laugh of hers. Ethel BEING Ethel was just a joy. Plain and simple she was just fun!

So here’s my question to you. What’s it like? What’s it like you BEING you? I know what it’s like for Dan to BE Dan. What’s it like you being you? Have you found out who you are and who you are supposed to be? Whoa there, not who people think you are supposed to be, but who God created you to be.

Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

My point is this. When people start BEING the person God created them to BE, then,……. that sense of joy, that inner peace, that “relaxed” feeling as you live your life starts flowing and people around you can sense it.

We are all riding “different horses” on our journeys while here on this Earth. By “different horses”, I mean that some of us are high energy, some easy going, some quiet, some very talkative. All are different. But that’s why it’s important for you to be you.

Ever have those days when you can’t stand yourself. (Makes me wonder what others are thinking of ya those days). You have to put up with “You” each and every day. You living with yourself, every minute of every day. Putting up with all your faults, your shortcomings. Hmmmm, it can get old can’t it!

That’s why I encourage folks to Be what God has created you to Be. Don’t just survive day to day. Live life to the fullest knowing that God’s got your back. He’s got your future as well. God created me as I am for a reason. The main reason was so that He and I can have a personal relationship with each other every day of this life. (and eternally after that!)

I’m “riding the horse” God gave me. Why I never could dunk a basketball or why I never have been able to play a guitar is beyond me. But the other things that God has blessed me within my life, well, that’s what I’m using to BE what God created me to BE!

What about you? Have you found out who you really are? Do you see your God given talents and abilities? They are there I can assure you.Have you asked God to help you in this life? Especially, have you asked God to BE with you as you travel this life. God is extremely good at BEING God. You’ve got to learn to BE yourself. It may take a lifetime to fully understand.

Ethel always seemed to have time to help others. Well she had the time! She had 103 1/2 years. Nope, it wasn’t that. Maybe like Ethel we have to TAKE the time for others.

Being what God created you to be. That’s a goal I’m encouraging you to do. Ethel was good at being Ethel. I loved her for it.

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher