"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
John 10:10 is a common verse. It is used all the time to talk about how God gives us a good life to live. Some hold onto these words so tightly thinking life will be grand the moment they believe. Others wonder where this good life can be found. Jesus is talking, mostly, about eternity; that when we find him we will open ourselves up to a life of eternity that is so good it's unimaginable. I like to also believe, however, that Jesus is communicating that life can be good once we begin following after him regardless of circumstance.
I don't know about you, but I sometimes have a difficult time enjoying life. This world is so harsh, there is so much hurt, that sometimes I feel bad for being happy. I watch my friends and loved ones go through excruciating things and sometimes feel guilty that I am sitting over in my corner enjoying myself. I feel deep and heavy for others, whether I know them or not. This is a blessing and a curse.
May is the month of crazy for our family. Everything happens in May. We have three birthdays (four if you include the one at the end of April), teacher appreciation, sports ending (meaning nutty play-off schedules), Mother's Day, end of the year activities, end of the year projects, and life. I knew this May was going to be especially bonkers because I had a fifth grader ending elementary school and I was his room mom. This meant extra activities and responsibilities. In these situations, I typically become hyper-focused and start crossing things off my list one-by-one.
Finished birthday number one. Check. One thing down. Whew.
Teacher appreciation. Done and done. Cross it off that list.
This year, however, I had a different attitude. I don't know why. I didn't make a conscious shift. I didn't give myself a pep-talk to enjoy every moment because they are so fleeting. It just kind of happened. I celebrated life.
With each passing activity, I was in the moment living it out to the fullest. I laughed and cried and felt all the feelings. I celebrated my kids as they turned a year older. We screamed and hollered from the stands cheering on our little baseball team as they edged their way through the playoffs. I attended all the "last" activities with my big kid and enjoyed every single second.
Ah. It felt good to celebrate life.
It's easy for me to let the "thief" in to steal my joy. It's simple for me to turn to the stress or sadness of the moment and pitch a tent there. But, there's something so freeing when you can look at the life before you and celebrate it in all its glory. This doesn't mean that you disregard the mourning of friends. I don't turn my back when a tragedy strikes my community or the surrounding world. What it does mean is that I let God rule in my heart and let him lead me in this precious gift called life celebrating his extravagance in each moment.
God calls us to a life of abundance. It's a choice. We get to choose whether we celebrate or park it in the sullen gray area.
I will say, May felt a little less crazy because I celebrated in the chaos. I enjoyed the moments that yes, are so very fleeting. I think we sometimes feel like we need permission to celebrate life. Well, here's your permission. God calls us to a full life so what are you waiting for? Start celebrating!
Love & Blessings,
Meg
John 10:10 is a common verse. It is used all the time to talk about how God gives us a good life to live. Some hold onto these words so tightly thinking life will be grand the moment they believe. Others wonder where this good life can be found. Jesus is talking, mostly, about eternity; that when we find him we will open ourselves up to a life of eternity that is so good it's unimaginable. I like to also believe, however, that Jesus is communicating that life can be good once we begin following after him regardless of circumstance.
I don't know about you, but I sometimes have a difficult time enjoying life. This world is so harsh, there is so much hurt, that sometimes I feel bad for being happy. I watch my friends and loved ones go through excruciating things and sometimes feel guilty that I am sitting over in my corner enjoying myself. I feel deep and heavy for others, whether I know them or not. This is a blessing and a curse.
May is the month of crazy for our family. Everything happens in May. We have three birthdays (four if you include the one at the end of April), teacher appreciation, sports ending (meaning nutty play-off schedules), Mother's Day, end of the year activities, end of the year projects, and life. I knew this May was going to be especially bonkers because I had a fifth grader ending elementary school and I was his room mom. This meant extra activities and responsibilities. In these situations, I typically become hyper-focused and start crossing things off my list one-by-one.
Finished birthday number one. Check. One thing down. Whew.
Teacher appreciation. Done and done. Cross it off that list.
This year, however, I had a different attitude. I don't know why. I didn't make a conscious shift. I didn't give myself a pep-talk to enjoy every moment because they are so fleeting. It just kind of happened. I celebrated life.
With each passing activity, I was in the moment living it out to the fullest. I laughed and cried and felt all the feelings. I celebrated my kids as they turned a year older. We screamed and hollered from the stands cheering on our little baseball team as they edged their way through the playoffs. I attended all the "last" activities with my big kid and enjoyed every single second.
Ah. It felt good to celebrate life.
It's easy for me to let the "thief" in to steal my joy. It's simple for me to turn to the stress or sadness of the moment and pitch a tent there. But, there's something so freeing when you can look at the life before you and celebrate it in all its glory. This doesn't mean that you disregard the mourning of friends. I don't turn my back when a tragedy strikes my community or the surrounding world. What it does mean is that I let God rule in my heart and let him lead me in this precious gift called life celebrating his extravagance in each moment.
God calls us to a life of abundance. It's a choice. We get to choose whether we celebrate or park it in the sullen gray area.
I will say, May felt a little less crazy because I celebrated in the chaos. I enjoyed the moments that yes, are so very fleeting. I think we sometimes feel like we need permission to celebrate life. Well, here's your permission. God calls us to a full life so what are you waiting for? Start celebrating!
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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