The Merry-Go-Round

Anne Bradshaw • December 11, 2025

Focus

Dear Reader,

Some time ago, I was working through some angst. I wanted to better understand what it meant to be "Christian" and to better walk out that understanding . My way just did not seem to be the best way in that moment. In council with others whom I respected, I was first was told they suspected that my personal issues were rooted in my identity. I needed to know who I was in Christ. On one hand, I was offended, but mostly I was confused. The truth was, when I really thought about it, I was without a clear understanding of what it meant to know who I was in Christ. I knew my past and present feelings, experiences and history. It defined how I saw myself both physically and relationally. Wasn’t that my identity? So, what did the person mean that my identity was the root cause of my issues at that moment??

What I didn’t realize was that who I SAW myself to be was centered around protecting who I WANTED to be. It was all about ME and this self-centered agenda created a way for Pride (protected by fear and insecurities) to get firmly rooted.

Pride is often manifested by those seeking to protect insecurities and insecurities in turn are expressed by many to create a facade of “humility” or “shyness.” In truth, shyness and insecurities actually indicate an underlying issue of pride (ex: not wanting to look bad or make a mistake before others). This was a REALLY difficult “truth-telling” for me to receive. OH MY, if it had not been given by someone who I KNEW loved me and wanted the best for me, I would have turned my back and walked away. Instead, I set out to discover what she meant by identity.

What I discovered changed everything.

First, I had to recognize that I needed to understand and that pride and fear and insecurity have a symbiotic relationship. They feed one another and like a merry-go-round maintain a circular pattern of reasoning resulting in stagnation of our spiritual growth. Merry-go-rounds go nowhere.

The only way off this merry-go-round of emotion and reaction is to do as Paul said in Colossians 3 and if we have been raised up with Christ, we are to keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. As followers of Christ, we are to set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

The more we learn about Christ, the more we see all that He did for humanity. The more we allow that revelation to sink in, the more we see the Kingdom of God at work. The more we recognize the Kingdom, the more we see our placement in the corporate body of Christ with a Kingdom assignment. The more we understand Christ, His Kingdom and our placement within the Church Jesus is building, the more solidly we understand our own identity. When we understand our identity, our purpose is revealed through the work of the Holy Spirit. When our identity and purpose are revealed, we walk in destiny (intention, calling, future, fate, purpose) as His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do the good works He has prepared for us. And all things past, present and future work together for us who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

While on the merry-go-round of pride, fear and insecurity, the trespasses of others, reactions of anger, bitterness, unhealthy habits of gossip and slander to gain friends and influence people, all take a foothold. A person such as this, is incredibly self-centered and miserable.

OFF the merry-go-round is the BEST place to be. OFF the merry-go-round, putting the old self to rest and embracing the new creation through Christ, there is no place for those things to take root.

Why?

Because identity no longer has to be created. At conversion we become a new creation and as a new creation, identity is received in Christ. He is our source and our purpose is about what He has placed within us as HIS workmanship. NOTHING can alter what He says about us, not even the trespasses of another into our lives, in whatever form it may take.

It simply doesn’t matter what others think or evaluate. It may sting, but FAITH extinguishes the fiery arrows. (Eph 6)

So have faith, Dear Reader, and know that You are His workmanship and Beloved.

Read your bible, friend.

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Flower Garden Grace

By Anne Bradshaw • April 9, 2026

“I feel as bright as a flower garden!” This phrase is included in a book I am currently working on. It has to do with an unexpected gift of colorful clothing. The idea came from an account regarding my grandfather's visit to a neighbor. The story began something like this: "One day "Pat" (my Grandfather) came to the door in to bring some vegetables from the garden." The neighbor went on to relate how embarrassed she was to open the door because she had just gotten out of the shower and had to hurriedly put on whatever clothes were handy before answering the door. The clothes did not match and she did not really pay attention until she was nearly to the door. In fact the colors wildly clashed, and she still had a towel (also colorful) around her wet hair. Today, we would probably just not answer the door, but this was a small town and people did not do that when it was someone they knew. She went on to tell how embarrassed and silly she felt but she decided to open the door anyway expecting my grandfather to make a depreciating comment about how silly she looked (because that was how she felt). She was pleasantly surprised by what my grandfather said, “Why, you look as purty as a garden full of flowers!” That was how I remember my grandparents teasing. They allowed the one being teased to participate without losing face. As far as I can remember, no one left feeling “less than,” but rather “a part of” when jokes were told. Some are so quick to criticize and joke in ways that put others down. Why highlight and tear apart the flaws in the name of humor or“truth in love” or simply to feel superior? Have you noticed the world has become quick to see what is not right. We do want injustice exposed, yes. But not just exposed! As believers, our desire is for justice and to be right with God, to stand for Truth because it is good for us, not just good to us. We were made to be the representatives of Christ upon the earth, so it is difficult to stand silent when injustice is happening. But a balance is needed. To complain and only report what the devil is up to and neglect the report of what God is doing and what He has said in His Word about similar matters in the past, works counter to our desire for righteousness. Likewise, concentrating on the flaws, condemning and highlighting the areas of weakness in others or even ourselves, denies the value of who God says we are and all He has placed within us to accomplish His good purposes. The option is always before us when we hear reports that are negative or discern what is unjust. We must wisely, with the help of the Holy Spirit, know how to respond to these moments. In small and large matters, we can choose to support life or death, literally and figuratively. That power is in our tongue, what we say aloud and think in our hearts. It is in our conversation: blessing or curses, grace or gossip. The power is in our prayers, the Scriptures we remember and those we call on in prayer. God says He watches over His Word to perform it. What Word are we speaking, praying, believing? When my Grandfather's neighbor opened the door to him in her crazy outfit, in that moment, he chose to support life. How? His joking comment cut off erased any opportunity for embarrassment to take hold. The joking comment about the flower garden, found a positive place to land in her heart that did not wound. He made light of the moment, canceling any need for shame, and brought laughter to a memory. Any other response could have caused that woman to cringe for the rest of the day. Instead, she remembered the moment at his memorial service with gratitude and laughter, remembering his kindness. Be a blessing, choose life. Listen to those who recognize the opportunity to apply Truth to negativity. Grace and Peace, Anne Jeremiah 1:12 “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” Romans 8: 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death , but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue : and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. see also