Should I do this?

It’s going to seem silly. Corny. Ridiculous.

But I’m going to do it.

Here I go …

Yes, I’m going to compare LIFE to the uber-popular and addicting game of CANDY CRUSH.

Have you heard of it?

Oh, you have?

Are you addicted?

Oh, you are?

ME TOO!

I didn’t know what the hype was all about. I thought FB games were stupid. A waste of time. But … I was curious. What was this game all my friends were playing? It couldn’t be that fun, could it?

So I checked it out—not on Facebook. Noooo. Secretly, I downloaded the app.

Oh, this IS fun! So simple, yet so fun. And look! I passed a level. And another. And another. I gotta pass this level! Gotta pass. One more chance! One more try! It’s 3 a.m.? Ahh! I just have to try one more time!

I become … you guessed it … addicted. With a capital “A.” But it was summertime, and I was on vacation. So who cares, right? Then I got to level 135.

I.COULDN’T.PASS.IT.

Impossible! It’s just not possible, right? (I know it really is because my sister is in the 300s!)

Suddenly, vacation was over. No more “free” time to crush candy, collect stripes, and squeal like a child when I got a sprinkled donut.

But just one more game before I “quit.” Just one more …

I still couldn’t pass level 135, so I went back to the beginning, back to level numero uno. It was a breeze! I played the levels I wanted to. It was much easier the first time around! And much more enjoyable—I wasn’t stressed about passing the level before my lives ran out. It didn’t cause me anxiety when I didn’t score well.

I actually enjoyed playing. No anxiety. No rush to complete the next level. No stress. I took my time. Relaxed more. I realized this second chance at playing was so much better than the first. I actually (can I say this?) treasured playing this time around.

Then I thought … I wish I approached life like I do replaying the levels on Candy Cush.

I wish I took the time to slow down and play how and when I wanted to play … not how and when and what I thought others expected of me.

I wish I wasn’t anxious, didn’t rush, didn’t stress to complete every task, check off every to-do list.

What if I took my time in life?

What if I enjoyed the little moments, the little victories, the little things that make life precious?

What if I treasured this life—the first time around?

Cause we all know we don’t get a second chance at life on this earth.

Is it worth the anxiety, busyness, stress, and competition that we live with?

What if we all slowed down, took our time, weren’t anxious, didn’t get stressed, relaxed more, enjoyed much …

What if we treasured life like … yes, you guessed it.

CANDY CRUSH!

“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24)   

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