Sometimes We Need to Get Lost to Find a Little Joy Again
🤠 Sometimes We Need to Get Lost to Find a Little Joy Again
By Angel, Founder of AMC Rise and Thrive
Hello, beautiful souls. 🤍
Before we begin today's reflection, I owe you a little
apology.
If you've been wondering where this week's post disappeared
to, the answer is surprisingly simple...
I got hooked on a video game.
That probably isn't the confession you expected from me, but
it's the truth. 😄
With temperatures climbing into the kind of heat where even
stepping outside feels like walking into an oven, staying indoors has sounded
much more appealing lately. Between the summer weather and wanting to unwind
after everything life has been throwing my way, I accidentally stumbled into a
new adventure that completely captured my attention.
Sometimes life surprises us like that.
Sometimes the things we least expect become exactly what we
needed.
Today isn't a deep theological reflection or an emotional
healing journey. It's simply me sharing a little piece of my everyday life and
reminding you that joy is spiritual too.
Let's talk about the Wild West.
🌄 Finding
an Unexpected Adventure
My husband and I were talking one evening when he mentioned a
game called Red Dead Redemption 2.
I know...
Many of you are probably laughing because the game has been
around for years.
I had honestly never heard of it.
When I saw it was on sale for only fifteen dollars, I figured
it was worth trying. That's cheaper than going out to eat these days.
The first question I asked wasn't about the missions or the
graphics.
It was...
"Can I make a female character?"
Apparently, you can—but only in the online version.
That was enough to convince me.
If I'm going to spend hours exploring another world, I want it
to feel like my adventure.
So, I sat there carefully designing my character, trying to
make her resemble me as much as possible. I think many of us do that whenever a
game gives us the opportunity. It's fun creating a little digital version of
ourselves and imagining how we'd survive in another time and place.
The game is set in 1898, just before the events of the main
Red Dead Redemption story. In the online world, your character begins as a
drifter who has been wrongly accused of a crime and sentenced to prison. A
woman named Jessica LeClerk helps free you because she believes you're
innocent. She asks for your help uncovering the people responsible for framing
you and for murdering her husband, setting you on a journey to seek justice
while trying to rebuild your own life.
It's an interesting premise.
Maybe one day I'll play through that entire story.
For now...
I'm perfectly happy wandering around the open world.
🐎 My New
Life in the Old West
The free roam experience has become my happy place.
I spend my time hunting.
Gathering herbs.
Fishing. (with a gun because I can’t afford a fishing pole
yet)
Selling pelts.
Exploring mountains.
Watching the sunrise.
Getting caught in thunderstorms.
And, of course...
Trying not to get eaten by wildlife. (which has happened a few
times)
The game lets you choose the kind of person you want to
become. You can make honorable choices by helping people and living honestly,
or you can take the dishonorable route and become more of an outlaw.
I love that choice.
It reminds me that every day in real life, we also decide who
we're becoming. Character isn't built in one giant moment. It's built in
thousands of little decisions.
The world itself is stunning.
The character models show their age a bit since the game was
released several years ago, but the landscapes are absolutely breathtaking.
Rolling hills.
Snow-covered mountains.
Dense forests.
Wide-open prairies.
Crystal-clear rivers.
Foggy mornings.
Brilliant sunsets.
The weather changes throughout the day, making everything feel
alive.
I've actually found myself stopping just to admire the
scenery.
How funny is that?
Sometimes I'm supposed to be making money...
Instead, I'm watching deer graze in a field.
Or following a hawk across the sky.
Or standing beside a lake while my horse patiently waits.
There is something oddly peaceful about it.
💰 Eight
Hours... Thirty Dollars... and One Very Loyal Horse
Here's the funny part.
After spending roughly eight hours playing...
I had earned about thirty dollars.
Thirty.
That's it. 😂
Apparently I am not destined to become a wealthy cowgirl
overnight.
I've watched videos where experienced players seem to earn
money effortlessly while I'm over here carefully skinning rabbits and wondering
if I'm ever going to afford anything.
My Google searches have become hilarious.
"Best beginner money making methods."
"How to level up faster."
"How to hunt legendary animals."
"What career should I choose first?"
I've also spent plenty of time on YouTube learning from people
who have already mastered the game.
Now, let me be clear.
I don't believe in cheating.
That's never been enjoyable to me.
But learning?
Learning is different.
Knowledge helps us grow.
Whether we're learning a new hobby, studying Scripture,
improving at work, or figuring out a video game, there is wisdom in listening
to people who have walked the path before us.
We don't always have to reinvent the wheel.
Sometimes we simply need a good teacher.
One thing I especially appreciate is that I can play on any of
my Xbox consoles, so I'm not tied to one room in the house. It's a small
convenience, but it makes relaxing much easier.
And then there's my horse.
His name is Onyx.
If you've played the game, you know your horse becomes more
than transportation.
You build trust.
You ride together.
You care for them.
You feed them.
You brush them.
Little by little, a bond develops.
It's funny how attached we can become to pixels on a screen.
But maybe that's because stories have always had the power to
make us care.
🌻 Joy Is
Not a Waste of Time
As I reflected on why I've enjoyed this game so much, I
realized something.
This isn't really about cowboys.
Or horses.
Or hunting.
Or earning enough money to buy better clothes for my
character.
It's about joy.
Life has been heavy.
Many of you have walked alongside me through seasons of
caregiving, uncertainty, burnout, health challenges, and emotional exhaustion.
Some days have required enormous strength.
Others have simply required endurance.
When life feels that heavy for long enough, our souls begin
craving something lighter.
Not because we're avoiding reality.
Because we're restoring ourselves.
God designed us with the ability to laugh.
To imagine.
To play.
To create.
To rest.
To experience wonder.
Sometimes we feel guilty for enjoying ourselves.
We convince ourselves that if there is work left to do, we
don't deserve to have fun.
But that's not how healthy living works.
Rest isn't laziness.
Joy isn't irresponsibility.
Play isn't wasted time.
Those moments refill our emotional and spiritual reservoirs.
They remind us that life isn't only about surviving.
It's also about living.
Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything under
heaven.
That includes moments when we simply enjoy the gifts God has
placed before us.
For me...
Apparently one of those gifts is riding across the digital
frontier with my horse Onyx while humming country songs in my living room.
I wasn't expecting that.
But here we are.
🌿
Sometimes God Meets Us in Ordinary Places
One of the things I love most about faith is that God isn't
limited to church buildings.
He meets us while washing dishes.
Driving to work.
Walking through the woods.
Listening to music.
Playing games.
Watching sunsets.
Laughing with family.
The sacred isn't confined to "spiritual" activities.
His presence fills every part of life when our hearts remain
open.
Even while wandering through a fictional version of the
American West, I've caught myself slowing down.
Breathing deeper.
Appreciating beauty.
Remembering how important it is to pause.
Maybe that's what my soul needed more than anything this week.
Not another checklist.
Not another responsibility.
Just room to breathe.
I think many of us need that reminder.
You don't have to earn rest.
You don't have to deserve joy.
Sometimes receiving is just as holy as giving.
🤍 Five
Affirmations
✨ I give
myself permission to experience joy without guilt.
✨ Rest
renews my spirit and prepares me for what lies ahead.
✨ I am
allowed to learn, grow, and enjoy new adventures.
✨ God's
goodness can be found in both extraordinary and ordinary moments.
✨ Today I
choose gratitude for the simple things that make me smile.
📖 Bible
Verse
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variation or shadow of turning."
— James 1:17 (NKJV)
This verse reminds me that blessings don't always arrive
wrapped the way we expect. Sometimes they come as answered prayers. Sometimes
they come through encouraging conversations. Sometimes they arrive in quiet
evenings spent laughing with someone you love. And occasionally, they come
disguised as a fifteen-dollar video game that reminds you how to smile again.
Every good gift points us back to the generosity of God.
🎵 Song of
the Day
"Old Town Road" – Lil Nas X
Ever since I started riding around on my horse, this song has
been playing on repeat in my head. Every time I saddle up, I find myself
smiling because it somehow fits the adventure perfectly.
The song captures the carefree feeling of hitting the open
trail, embracing the journey, and refusing to let outside opinions steal your
joy. While its lyrics tell a playful, modern cowboy story, the heart of the
song is about freedom, confidence, and enjoying the ride.
That's exactly how this week has felt.
Not every season has to be about productivity.
Sometimes it's okay to laugh.
To explore.
To learn something new.
To take the scenic route.
Sometimes the ride itself is the reward.
If you haven't heard it in a while, give it another listen.
You may find yourself smiling too.
🤍 Final
Thoughts
Thank you for giving me a little grace this week.
Sometimes life surprises us with unexpected passions,
unexpected laughter, and unexpected moments of peace.
This little gaming adventure reminded me that we don't stop
needing play simply because we become adults.
Our responsibilities grow.
Our calendars fill.
Our burdens become heavier.
But somewhere inside each of us still lives the person who
delights in discovery.
Protect that part of yourself.
Feed it.
Celebrate it.
Whether your joy comes from gardening, painting, reading,
baking, hiking, photography, music, puzzles, gaming, or simply sitting on your
porch watching the sunset...
Don't apologize for the things that help your soul breathe.
God delights in seeing His children experience joy.
And if you'll excuse me...
I have a horse named Onyx waiting for our next adventure.
Until next time, beautiful souls...
Keep choosing hope.
Keep choosing kindness.
Keep choosing joy.
And remember...
Rise gently.
Thrive faithfully.
Trust God's timing.
With love,
Angel 🤍
Founder, AMC Rise and Thrive
🌐 Support
This Space
If today's reflection encouraged your heart, brought you a
smile, or reminded you that joy is part of a healthy spiritual life, and you'd
like to help AMC Rise and Thrive continue growing, you're welcome to support
this space.
Your kindness helps me continue sharing faith-filled
reflections, encouragement, and reminders that none of us walk this journey
alone.
There is never any pressure—only heartfelt gratitude.
🤍 Support
AMC Rise and Thrive:
https://ko-fi.com/G2G61TI051
Thank you for walking this journey with me.
If today's message resonated with you, consider sharing it
with someone who could use a reminder to slow down and enjoy life's simple
blessings. You are also invited to explore the AMC Rise and Thrive archive,
where another reflection may be waiting for you exactly when you need it.
God's timing is never rushed. His plans unfold with perfect
wisdom, often in ways we could never anticipate. Our role is simply to remain
open, faithful, and willing to receive the beautiful things He is preparing
along the way.
#AMCRiseAndThrive #ChooseJoy #FaithJourney #RestAndRenew
#SimpleBlessings
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