Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me, lives in safety, and be at ease without fear or harm.

2Timothy1:7 For God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of love, sound judgment, and a sound mind.

The Theme Song from Bonanza

Every time I hear the theme song from Bonanza, it takes me back. At 10 years of age going to Granny’s in Ft. Thomas, Ky. was my happy place. Being an artist, I love the paintings that come on the screen as the credits roll.

It brings back feelings that only came around when we were at Granny’s: love, safety, happiness, joy, freedom, laughter, faith, and self-worth.

In 1960, Bonanza was the first western to be filmed in living color. The NBC Peacock would flash on the screen….then Bonanza would start. Granny was the first one in the family to have a color TV; therefore, we spent a lot of Sundays at her house.

IT WAS OUR SAFE HAVEN.

Through no fault of his own, my father was born with a mental illness. He was an amazing provider, and he loved us as best he knew how.

Unfortunately, there was little treatment for mental illness before 1980.

There was a great deal of emotional abuse upon all of us. He physically abused my mother. I lived in constant fear as a child. I never knew when the next explosion was coming. It was usually every weekend, when he was home from work.

However, from Memorial Day –Labor Day, we always had Sunday picnics at our country abode with friends and family. My father loved company. Believe it or not, he was a real people person at work. All of that socialization formed strong personalities within my sister and I.

Those family gatherings brought us a lot of laughter and happiness. A lot of love and wisdom came from my maternal grandparents and mother.

After my grandfather passed away, we added a wing onto our home, and granny moved in with us in 1963. I was 14.

It was at that time in my life that fear began to fade. In the evenings, I would spend a lot of time with Granny back in her room.

She talked. I listened and gained wisdom. We laughed one heck of a lot!

Every Sunday night at 9 p.m. my Song of Peace began. I’d hunker down on Granny’s couch under my favorite blanket, along with my snack.

We’d watch the drama and laughter at the Cartwright’s together. I had my hiding place, with God and Granny’s wisdom. That wisdom built fearlessness within me. Miss you Granny. Thanks for forming my character.

Dear Father, as friends, acquaintances, and even strangers find this page and read the words we pray they find strength and encouragement in what is written. We pray Father God, that You would touch them in some way to let them know, whatever their problems in life, that You are always there and ‘have their backs’. May we each have our safe havens and our safe place with You!

In Jesus name, Amen

Sue Cutler

Fearless Faith