fear – April Coker, Author

Why I’m Surprised (but Grateful)

Here I am, retired and nowhere near where I expected to be at this stage of my life. What happened to those lofty dreams of years ago when I pictured myself in a luxurious mansion sipping cocktails by a pool overlooking the Mediterranean? I guess I killed them. I didn’t choose to kill them. I killed them with my choices.

Choice #1: Going to college instead of joining the Navy. The Navy appealed to me as a high school senior because it promised world travel with a good salary and future retirement benefits. I didn’t want to leave my boyfriend, so I went to college. I also didn’t believe I could make it through basic training because I am basically a wuss when it comes to physical activities. I am not athletic in the least.

Choice #2: I followed my heart while in college. I married before I graduated, and he was young. He had to find a good job and never went to college himself. He did work hard providing for me and our eventual kids, though. He said he wouldn’t change a thing, but sometimes I think he would have been better off waiting. I would have been, too.

Choice #3: Not finishing my pre-med program. I didn’t take Chemistry or Physics in high school because I was afraid of failure, and my first Chemistry class was a disaster. I learned nothing because the teacher wasn’t a good one. I barely passed the second semester under the other teacher, so I decided I would never be able to pass Organic chemistry. I also have a phobia of needles, which people say you get over, but I hate fainting in class (which I did three times).

Choice #4: Not taking Chemistry and Physics in high school. I was scared of the teachers and failure.

Choice #5: Letting fear control my decisions.

I did make other choices affecting my life’s journey, and I’m not saying I regret making easier choices, but I am in a different place than I expected to be. But isn’t that what God is all about? Taking us on new and unexpected journeys? He has blessed me with a loving husband, two beautiful children and their spouses, and three wonderful grandchildren.

My cup is full, although my mansion is a 1961 wood frame three-bedroom home and I might sip coffee or wine on my deck or front porch. Who needs a mansion on the Mediterranean anyway? I have one “just over the hilltop in that bright land where we’ll never grow old” (old church hymn) anyway!

What about you? Have you landed where you least expected? I’d love to hear from you!

XOXO

Don’t drink Corona beer!

I was in the grocery store a couple of days ago, looking for a loaf of bread and maybe some toilet paper, but I had no success. A guy asked me if I was looking for bread. When I replied yes, he said, “Good luck. Have you been drinking that Corona beer?”

I told him no, but I might need one after this trip to the store. He proceeded to comment on the current state of affairs as I agreed and moved on. I grabbed the last two packages of dinner rolls, figuring I could make sliders instead.

There is a rumor that Corona beer sales have dropped because people believe it spreads the coronavirus. According to surveys cited by CNN.com, many won’t buy Corona beer because of the virus. It must be those people who started the toilet paper hoarding phenomenon.

All I know is I’m glad I bought tp before we actually needed it, and that we have a couple of weeks worth of food in the freezer. I just hope my supply outlives the bare shelves at my local grocery stores. For once I’m glad I qualify for the early bird senior shopping times. For my next grocery buying trip, I may need to get there when the doors open.

Whether it’s another two weeks or another two months or another two years, we have got to support each other, people. We must stop the hoarding and think of others who also need the things we are cramming in our shopping carts.

Social media and the mainstream media feed our fears of catching the disease and running out of supplies, never mentioning the 22,000 people who have already died from the flu this season. Not to downplay the seriousness of Covid-19 infection, but the flu hasn’t caused the hysteria the media has caused by its reporting of the coronavirus.

My take on this? Take a deep breath, pray, and trust God to work this situation out for good. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If you don’t know whether or not you are one of “the called,” send me a message either below or through my website www.aprilnunncoker.com and I will explain.

We are not to fear but to trust. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7) “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalms 56:3)

Use the time stuck at home to read the Bible, bond with your family, clean and repair stuff you never have time to, and be thankful, “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)

Okay, sermon over. I hope I have brought you a bit of encouragement. Now where is that Corona beer? Just kidding.

XOXO