LAURA LIFE LESSON #6 – Overcome your fears

As we walk through our battlefields, we try everything to negotiate the landmines (our fears) in our lives including avoidance, rationalizing, and even outright denial. Why don’t we identify our fears, face them head on, and leave them (once and for all) in the rear view mirror? Unfortunately, we must face intense challenges, overwhelming difficulties, and heavy doses of fear.

Talking about fear and Laura in the same sentence seems misplaced. Fear never appears to be an issue for her. I have witnessed Laura cliff-diving, bungee jumping, sharing her love and God’s Word with complete strangers, and more. Even the way she communicates with anyone and everyone, fear was never present. The higher purpose in her message is not Laura’s actions, but why she acted in this way. The truth, Laura places her ultimate trust in her creator and savior, Jesus Christ. With this trust, she is ultimately freed to be confident in who she is and why she was created.

Our struggle isn’t the process of overcoming our fears, but in determining who is accountable for the process. All too often, we fail. Why do we fail? It’s because we expect our own abilities to be sufficient. They are in a few instances, but not here. Not for this! Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and the symbol of the cross are the only surefire means to overcoming your fears.

God provides the example; the sinless life and gruesome death of His Son, followed relatively quickly by the overcoming of the fiery pit and the glorious rising to heaven. While we are here on Earth, Christ essentially says, “Been there, done that! Now, hand them over to me. I will take them for you. Do you trust me?” We can continue in our struggles or release them and be freed.

What will you choose?

EVEN WHEN I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID, FOR YOU ARE CLOSE BESIDE ME. YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF PROTECT AND COMFORT ME. (Psalm 23:4)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #5 – Love first

Regardless of the complexities of life and supposed metrics of success, we are in fact defined by our relationships. Busy schedules and other commitments often lead to limited and brief moments of social interaction. It is in these moments, the greatest opportunities are available to form the bonds of true friendship. Everyone, on different levels, yearns to be loved and to reciprocate such feelings. Oftentimes, we wait, guarded; hoping for the other person to act. The difficulty is not in loving or being loved, but in choosing to love first. In choosing to practice this principle, you are accepting the accompanying risks and vulnerabilities that your love may not be returned.

You must know where this is headed! Laura’s life is, in fact, one of the true examples of the power of displaying love first. You’ve probably seen it thousands of times. You’re thinking handshake, Laura’s thinking hug. You’re thinking hug, Laura’s thinking kiss. You say bye, see you later; Laura says OK, love you. Her ability and desire to love first is attractive and contagious.

This isn’t something we SHOULD do as Christians. It is what we are called to do. Living this principle doesn’t come easy. Exposing yourself in this way may leave you open to attack. This adversity and resistance is at the very core of a life of impact. Take the example of our savior, Jesus Christ. Persecuted, mocked, scorned yet also revered, admired, and followed. Similarly, Laura’s life is an example in how loving first changes lives and helps others. We all have a limited sphere of influence and can decide to display our Christ-like love for those within our circle to see.

Loving those agreeing and supporting you is not as difficult. But God’s Word asks us to love those who may scorn or criticize us. This Word declares that by following Christ, you will face trials and even persecution. The existence of this in our story is the beauty and perfect truth of this doctrine becoming reality. It proves God can use anyone, in any situation, to accomplish anything. Should we continue to share our lives? I say we must (in love!).

SO NOW I AM GIVING YOU A NEW COMMANDMENT: LOVE EACH OTHER. JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, YOU SHOULD LOVE EACH OTHER. YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER WILL PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES. (John 13: 34-35)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #4 – Listen well

It is tough to have good listeners in your life. It is even tougher to be a good listener for others. What draws people magnetically to Laura is this unique listening ability and the sense of truly being heard. She cares about what you are saying and isn’t afraid to show it. Laura’s favorite place to be is always right there, with you. She never allows her attention to wander or to lose focus on the conversation at hand.

After a few months of dating, I was enamored by Laura’s recollection of past events. I actually said, “How good is your memory?” Laura majored in chemistry and said memorizing things and recalling past events always came easy. She told me that she could name, over the past three weeks, every place we had been, where we went each night, and what I was wearing. Scary, huh? She did it. I didn’t know whether to be scared of or to admire this quality. Fortunately, she never used this power to her advantage. One thing is for sure, Laura remembered because Laura cared. Since she cares to listen, Laura always knows what is important to each of her family and friends. Maybe we can all become better listeners.

UNDERSTAND THIS, MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: YOU MUST ALL BE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, AND SLOW TO GET ANGRY. (James 1:19)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #3 – Care about the little things

It was several minutes before the ceremony in which we would be pronounced husband and wife. Laura, of course, was a big believer in us not seeing each other before her long awaited walk down the aisle. I waited nervously in a back room of the church preparing for this once in a lifetime moment; palms were sweating, mouth dry. Moments before we were to leave the room, a card was delivered. It was a message from Laura and it said, “The day we have been waiting so long for is finally here. I can’t wait to be your wife. Now, let’s get out there and get married. I love you.” After reading, the feeling of nervousness was replaced with thoughts of joy and anticipation, thanks to Laura’s thoughtful gesture.

Whether baking you her trademark cookies, planting notes under my pillow, or planning an event for family and friends, Laura took such pride in making you feel special. We all could take a lesson from Laura and do the little things, a little better, and a little more often.

LET NOTHING BE DONE THROUGH SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT, BUT IN LOWLINESS OF MIND LET EAH ESTEEM OTHERS BETTER THAN HIMSELF. LET EACH OF YOU LOOK OUT NOT ONLY FOR HIS OWN INTERESTS, BUT ALSO FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS. (Philippians 2:3-4)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin