Perky. Plucky. Sanguine. Energetic. Happy. Joyful. Spritely. Bouncy.

Yup, it’s true. I’m a ball of joyful energy. Too much for you, perhaps? That’s ok. I know that some can only take me in small doses, and I bless you to excuse yourself.

Many people wonder if it’s real. Yes. Ask my husband. Others often wonder if I ever turn off. Well, sort of.

For better or for worse, I’ve always been this way. But there have been times when I’ve wondered if it was really the best thing for me. Maybe I’d be taken more seriously, or given more authority in certain areas if I was different. Darker, more serious, somber, and less – Me.

Earlier this year I was at a retreat. Surrounded by many people, I found myself feeling particularly isolated, unsure, and insecure. It does happen, sometimes.
As I was taking stock of how I was feeling, I knew I needed to hear the truth straight from my most trusted companion. Yup, Jesus.

I asked him one of my favorite questions, “Jesus, what do you love about me?”

He said, “I love the way you bounce.”

Immediately I saw a vision of Jesus holding my hands and us bouncing and laughing together. Then it turned into us sitting on those big bouncy balls…the ones with the handles. What can I say, I am a child off the 80’s, and my Mickey Mouse bouncy ball was my favorite patio pastime. Anyhow,  Jesus and I were having the best time bouncing around on these big balls. He was showing me that not only did he love that I bounce, he bounces with me!

Then he said, “Season, I need you to bounce.”

Yup, he said it. Not only does he love it about me, He needs me to be this way. He created me to be this way! I’M INTENTIONALLY BOUNCY!

That has given me so much confidence in this season of my life. As a leader, pastor, and often hardcore adult (and let me tell you, I have had to “adult” big time lately), I have freedom to express myself authentically.

So I bounce. I bounce down the hallway at work. I spring into the sunshine when I exit the doors of the building. I skip from one place to another. With all the perk I want I greet people and release joy over everyone I come across. Of course I have discernment and know when I need to meet someone where they are with subtle kindness or a soft smile, but other than that; I WILL BOUNCE!

With a joyful spring in my step,

Season