Annie Over!

When we were younger kids, we lived in a great neighborhood in Jackson, MS.  We always had plenty of friends to play with.  But it wasn’t like that when we came to visit Dad’s parents in northeast Mississippi. 

They lived on a farm out in the country and there were no other kids around.  We had to find other ways to entertain ourselves.  That was OK though, because we had good imaginations and just liked to play outside anyway. 

Besides that, Grandma taught us a couple of games that were fun to play.  One of them was Annie Over.  Have you ever heard of it?  I always thought it was something Grandma just made up, but I checked it out on the internet and according to some sources, this game dates all the way back to the mid 1800’s. 

It was an easy game, but it kept Todd and I busy for a little while.  Grandpa and Grandma had a well house that brought water from the ground and up to a faucet outside.  They didn’t have running water in the house.  Anyway, the wellhouse was small enough that we could throw a ball over it to the other side. 

In the game, the one who had the ball would yell out “Annie Over” and throw the ball over the house.  The person on the other side would catch the ball and run around the house to try to catch the one who threw it.  Oh wow!  I don’t remember all the rules exactly.  I just remember throwing the ball and running around chasing each other. 

The laughter too.  I remember the laughter.  We laughed chasing each other, but my Grandmother always laughed when we played.  Oh how she loved to see us have a good time!  It always made me feel good to see her laugh. 

I think God likes to see his children have a good time too, don’t you?  Our life is so full of work and taking care of our families and paying bills and.. and .. and.  The list goes on, but the point is made.  Sometimes we forget to relax and enjoy ourselves. 

When I think about this topic, I often think of what Christ said in John 10:10.  “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

I absolutely love that passage!  It shows us God does want us to have a full, rich life here on earth.  An abundant life means taking pleasure in all the things God gives us to enjoy.   

He created the family unit, when he created Adam and Eve.  A husband and wife are to love and cherish one another.  The children God gives are truly a gift!  Our little ones giggle at the simplest of pleasures.  There is no greater joy for a mother than to hear her child laugh. 

Knowing all this, how could we ever think God doesn’t want us to have fun from time to time?

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Please don’t let anyone steal your joy. 

I love you, but God loves you more!

Christ above all things - Robin