Seize the day. . . May 18, 2008

Have you ever wished you could bottle up something beautiful and keep it forever and always?? Take it out when things got hard or you were in the “memory mood”, embrace it and not ever let go? Relive the best of the best moments in your life, the spectacular and then just the simple little joys life brings as well? Don’t you wish sometimes you could experience all those feelings over and over again?  *sigh* I sure do.

Sometimes I wonder….why that isn’t possible? Why do good things have to end? Why do things come and go so often? Why must things change? Why can’t you hold on to each joy and thrill, letting it constantly bring a smile or happy tear?

But I know why really…change is necessary for growth. If we lived in the same stage all the time, how would we realize the fact that life really does get better…even when we think it never will, or we think the best has already happened and can’t be topped. The joys do get sweeter, the memories even more memorable and more lasting. Think about if there were never any change and we stayed in the same place all the time. Can you imagine how, not only bored we would get, but how ungrateful and unappreciative? I know for me whenever there is change, it’s always exciting or scary…or both, and either makes me grateful for the new, or grateful for the way it was. Either way, it makes you appreciate something!! *smile*

I’ve been thinking on this life of mine lately. Yes, it’s been challenging and rough the past couple of years. But at the same time I wonder, how I have any room to complain or be unhappy, when I have SO much to love, appreciate and be thankful for??

I love remembering. Love it. It’s one of my favorite things to do!!! When I remember, I always I laugh or cry, shake my head and think things like “What were we thinking??!?!” or “We were so young and stupid!!!” or “Oh to have a day like that again!!”. I have soooooo many fond memories of times with family and friends. The best times of my life….and really, the best is yet to come!!!!

Today was graduation at our church. I felt so incredibly old, lol!! Most of the ones up there graduating I have known for 17 years. When I first met them they were two, three and four years old….I babysat some of them!! I am just blown away that there they stood, graduating from high school and embarking on adulthood. Amazing. I remember my graduation so well. The thoughts I had…my perspective, the way I felt. Oh, from here on out life was going to be full of adventure and excitement. I was so grown up and knew I had so much wisdom and a good grip on what life was really all about. How funny to think about now. I feel less confident and ready for life now then I did then!!

I guess lately, the Lord’s been teaching me some things, showing me myself for who I really am, giving me glimpses of how He views life, changing my perspective. And I realize that now is all we have. (Sounds basic I know…but I really am just getting it.) It’s easy to sit and think, “When I’m 18 I’ll graduate and when I’m 21 I’ll be married, *dreamy sigh* and when I’m 30 I’ll have 6 children and we’ll  live in the country next door to my best friend and we’ll raise our children together and they’ll all be best friends too. *happy sigh* What a good life I’ll have!!!” So many times we sit thinking about how our life is going to be and all the while life is what’s happening to us!!! Life is where we are NOW. Life is everyday getting out of bed, doing dishes, running errands, working and ministering. We aren’t promised tomorrow…or even the rest of today. Every breath God gives us is by His mercy and grace and His choice to allow us another day, another night, another chance to fulfill HIS calling and purpose for our life.

I was chatting with Mel last night and talking about some things I was upset about and sad about. Expressing the fact that I was worried about some friends that I love so much but see some things they’re doing that cause concern. How some of the choices they’re making just breaks my heart and literally hurts. But in thinking about that, I was able to see something else. If what they’re doing is hurting me, how much MORE painful, hurtful and heart breaking is it to Jesus when He sees me, my heart, and the things I’m doing, thinking and allowing in my life?? How much I must sadden and grieve Him. It was an overwhelming thought.

This verse has been on my heart for a while now….since the first of this year actually and I think I might just claim this as my verse for 2008. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more..” I have been given so much. This life, my family, parents that raised me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, incredible teaching and instruction from God’s Word on a regular basis, unlimited resources to serve Him, friends that love me, pray for me and want to see me following the Lord whole heartily and then the many opportunities given to show the love of Christ through this unfit vessel. I know the Lord has great things for all of us, and how much He wants to give to us and show us. The key is knowing Him, being open to Him, and listening to His voice. It’s about living for the now, embracing every opportunity as He leads and not standing by “waiting for life to start”. It’s time to get serious about this life we’ve been given, to get our focus back and seize the day!!!! I heard a saying that I liked, “Live in this moment, for this moment is your life.” I know it can have some bad connotation like doing whatever you want and not worrying about any consequences, but I think it can have some really good connotation for us as believers. Live to your fullest potential (the potential the Lord has for you) every single day. Seize the day!!! 

I thought I would just end with something I thought was a little humorous the other day while I was at the Bogner’s working on conference stuff…

Mel: Whatcha doing?

Me: I’m just writing. Nothing important…just…because I feel like it.

Mel: Well I feel like *riding*. Riding a horse, off into the sunset….never to return….

Me: *sigh* Make that two horses.

Both: *high five*…*knowing smile*…*sympathetic nod*

Have a great week dear ones!!!! Love and hugs!!!!