Permission to be Fabulous

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

–      Marianne Williamson

Every year on Easter Sunday I celebrate the holiday with my family.  My parents, my sisters and their families, girlfriends, friends and anyone else who wants to tag along.  It’s always a great party.  Lots of great food, desserts and plenty of beer and wine. 

As Lent has come to a close and I feel very good about where I am at with God, I have toyed with the idea of having a cocktail once in awhile, particularly on a day of celebration.   In January, my intent was to abstain for one full year, to see if and how God would work in my life.  And since that time, my relationship with God has changed.  I feel Him working in my life and on my heart, changing it for the better with each passing day.

I have been quite pleased with the direction my life has taken, thinking that perhaps I have done a good enough job with the non-drinking and its time to relax the rules a bit.  But as I  considered this, the above quote by Marianne Williamson came to me.  And it occurred to me that maybe good enough is not good enough.

God has a plan for me, I am sure of that.  He has been faithfully helping me work out my questions, my fears, my doubts, my struggles, and even though I am happy with where I am at, maybe God still has greater things in store for me. 

So on this Easter Sunday, as I celebrate the risen Christ, I renew my commitment to give God this entire year.  Because I want more than good enough…I want to shine.  I want to make manifest the glory of God that is within me.  I want nothing short of fabulous.