Life is Good. Settle In.

I’m writing this on the week the great Minnesota State Fair begins. Ahhh, this is one of my absolute Happy Places. Free music, barns full of animals, people-watching galore. What’s not to love?

Some of my best family memories are tucked into those fairgrounds. And every year, I plan my schedule (and give myself a talking-to about deadlines) so I can savor my two-week job in Guest Relations without guilt. Honestly? I love it.

And that brings me to this note to you. Because while I usually write with encouragement for the hard stuff in life, I’ve discovered I also need encouragement when I’m in a good place. Like right now. Who knew we sometimes need help enjoying life when it feels light? Apparently … I do.

Perhaps you’re in a chapter of life that doesn’t require starting over again. You’ve been there before, starting and restarting, and right now you’re in a good place. Breathing feels easier. Life isn’t lopsided. You can sit in your favorite chair without feeling guilty that you’re not “doing something.”

Let yourself settle into it.

But if you find that tricky, you’re not alone. I get it. When I’m in that kind of place where life feels steady and calm, I have a knack for sabotaging it. Suddenly I’m side-eyeing the future like, “Okay, what’s going to crash next? Did God just hit the pause button to give me a snack break before the next storm?”

Good grief. Have mercy. Ooftah. Ugh. All the words here.

In the name of all that is peaceful and good, what is the matter with us?

So. Pull up a chair next to me on my porch. I’ll lean over with a smile to whisper, Enjoy this. Rest. Relax. Don’t feel guilty for living in a refreshing stretch of life. God’s goodness is here, too.

Here’s the truth: God is not the teacher with the red pen, circling our every mistake, tossing out surprise quizzes just to keep us nervous. Nope.

He’s the Shepherd who loves us. He takes our hand and says, Let’s just go for a walk. No agenda. Let’s notice the flowers, the sky, the joy of being together. This isn’t about what you’re learning. It’s about who you’re with. I love you so much.

And you know what? That’s how I feel walking through the Fairgrounds. Wandering through the Crop Art display in the Ag-Hort building (my dad’s picture hangs on the wall there, which makes me smile and tear up every time), anticipating my annual Sweet Martha’s cookies treat, and hugging friends I only see once a year at our “Fair connection.” Those aren’t rushed moments. They’re joy-filled pauses that remind me to just be present.

So maybe let’s stop living like we’re always braced for bad news. What we focus on shapes how we live, right?

And listen. If you’re reading this from a tough spot right now, please don’t hear me saying you should just “cheer up.” Nope. What you’re going through is real. Hard stretches are heavy. But they won’t last forever. And God’s goodness isn’t on hold until your circumstances improve. His love shows up right there in the valley too.

David knew this when he wrote Psalm 23. It’s a life-giving reminder that whether you’re resting in the meadow or trudging through the mud, God is right beside you.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength…”

Whatever patch of life you’re in today, calm or stormy, His goodness and unfailing love are chasing you down. Right now. Always.

And if you need a little reminder of His goodness? Picture this: you’re sitting on a bench watching people enjoy their favorite fair food on a stick. (Yes, that’s a real thing at our Fair.) Or imagine the giggles of a 3-year-old waving wildly at the State Fair parade as the gopher mascots roll by.

That’s delight. That’s joy. That’s wonder. That’s what it looks like to settle into the moment.