My mom took me to Sea World a bunch as a kid.
Growing up in Southern California, we had the chance to visit all sorts of theme parks. Once a year, my mom would take us down to San Diego, and we’d hit three all in a row. LegoLand, the San Diego Zoo, and Sea World.
I wouldn’t trade the memories I made on those weekends for anything. There are so many stories I have from that time I spent with my family and the friends we’d take along with us. Days spent running around, learning, growing, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. At Sea World, they had all these shows, and a great big section called The Splash Zone. I remember as a kid, we’d rush to get seats in the splash zone while my parents would sit a few rows back.
I was worshiping one morning when God brought that memory to mind and asked me a very important question.
Why did I stop letting people sit in the splash zone of my life?
I broke up with my boyfriend about two months ago. We dated for a few months, and I really liked him, but in the end, we realized that our values just didn’t align in the way I originally thought they had.
It’s sad to see something so good turn out to be something that wasn’t ever actually as good as you thought it was.
So anyways, I’m sad, right? And I hate being sad. It’s like my least favorite thing to be. But I am, because it’s a sad and sucky thing that’s happened. So, Monday morning, a few days after I had ended things, rolls around, and I’m sitting, worshiping at The Company.
We take a moment to sing about God’s promises, his faithfulness, and I just can’t help but cry at the words. Because it’s so true. God will never fail me. God keeps his promises.
I’m sitting there, tears streaming down my face, and I find I suddenly can’t breathe. It was so sudden, like someone was holding a pillow over my face. I was crying, and I realized I was holding my breath forcibly, clamping my lips together, and squeezing my eyes shut. Why?
I didn’t want anyone else in the room to be bothered by my tears. They’re having their own moment with God, right? I don’t want to throw my Sad ™ all over them.
That’s when I felt God’s presence swoop down next to me. I could picture him kneeling in front of me, holding my cheeks in his hands.
“Why do you want to keep this to yourself?” he asked, gently. I sucked in a breath—forced myself to.
“I don’t want to get my issues all over them,” I whispered. Jesus hummed.
“You know, life is like a Splash Zone, Alli,” he whispered. “Your community consented to sitting in the splash zone…”
Life is Like a Splash Zone
As a kid, if I’d been in the splash zone and didn’t get wet once, I’d have been incredibly disappointed. You can choose where you sit in someone’s life. You can sit in the back rafters, far and distant, watching the show but not experiencing the show. You can sit in the middle, pretend you’ll be in the splash zone, close enough to really see it all, but not get a single drop on you.
Or you can sit in the splash zone. You can sit right there, in the front row, through all of it. Every splash, every wave.
My friends, my community. They aren’t just there for the fun times, or the times where I succeed, or when I’m in perfect health, etc. My community is there even when I cry and splash all over the place. Even when I’m upset and angry. Even when I’m sad. In fact, they sat there on purpose because they care enough to want to be with me in those moments.
We can’t be in everyone’s Splash Zone, and you shouldn’t let just anyone sit in your Splash Zone either. But the ones who do, they’re there for it.
That’s what a God-honoring community does. That’s what Jesus does. He doesn’t want to sit in the back row of your life. He wants to be in the splash zone. 🙂
Speaking of community, check out the latest that the writing community is up to!
Join our online Christian Writer Con!
Do you ever have questions like:
- How do I write gospel themes for unbelievers so that they’ll actually listen?
- How do I bring my own struggles to the page without sounding preachy or making it all about me?
- I’m willing to work hard, but how do I do the right work so I’m not just chasing my tail?
- What does it actually mean to write with Jesus?
I am so unbelievably excited for the lineup of speakers we have—including an Olympic medalist! Best part? It’s all completely online, so anyone can come join us! No need to worry about traveling, getting a hotel, or gas prices.
God changed my life with an online conference.
I was dying. My immune system was attacking my spinal cord and I was basically bedridden. There was no leaving my house, no going on a trip to any sort of conference for my writing. I was in a desperate place.
Then I signed up for Storyembers writing summit in 2022. I was so excited to listen in on the sessions. My mom even bought me a brand new notebook to take notes in.
A week before, I had asked God to change my life. I hated being stuck, like I was. In my house, in my own body. I asked him to change my life, or to help me learn to be content with it.
The Company was the sponsor for that writing summit, and, spoiler alert: God used it to completely overhaul my life.
I’m not saying that by attending this conference, God will do exactly what he did for me…but he could overhaul your life. This could be that first step. He could change your life in some new, crazy way! All you have to do is take that first step.
Early Bird Pricing ends tomorrow.
So get on it! I would love to see you there 🙂 Take that first step, say Yes to whatever God has for you, and come join us. https://writers.company/christianwritercon