Live well. I want to live out the purpose God has given me. I became a mom in 1998 and again in 1999 and suddenly my purpose was formed. I was to be a mom, above all else. The choices that I make in my life matter because I have two children watching. I don't get it all right all of the time. But my desire is to teach them what Micah 6:8 says about living. "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." I am the model and teacher to these lives before me. I want to give the example to my daughter how to be a Godly woman (to the best of my ability) and to my son what matters in choosing a good woman with whom to share his life. It's about my character and spiritual compass. Opportunities come up all the time. For example: how we respond to people who are rude to us; how we react when we don't get our way; what do we do when we are lied to. Do I live my life to get all the latest "stuff" or do I live to give of myself and serve others? Do I harbor resentment and bitterness or do I practice forgiveness and mercy? Do I teach my children that every good and perfect gift comes from above or do I show them a "me me me" attitude?
Laugh uncontrollably. This one is much easier for me. Laughter is the best medicine, after all. Have you ever laughed so hard that your stomach hurts? That you literally became sick? Have you ever laughed so hard you cried or snorted even? Perhaps you've lost bladder control even? What makes you laugh? I mean, really.. what makes you actually laugh from your gut. One of my favorite things that makes me crack up is the laughter of a baby. Sometimes I actually will YouTube babies laughing just for a "pick me up". Have you ever made someone laugh that hard? I don't know if it's better to tell the story that makes people laugh uncontrollably or to be the recipient in such a time. Oh the stories I could tell here!! EACH would be deserving of their own blog alone! I play(ed) euchre with a group of some of the best girls I have ever known! It really wasn't about cards, for us cards was a means to the end. Jonda, one of those girls, on a number of occasions has laughed so hard she had tears flowing down her red face and could barely catch her breath would go home with stomach pains and cramps from laughing all night long. THE BEST COMPLIMENT EVER!!! My ex-husband (perhaps one reason he is the ex in fact) once told me that he didn't think I was funny. That was probably the WORST thing I could have ever heard him say. And I thought what is the matter with him? I am VERY funny!! On a number of occasions I have been known to say "I crack myself up." I try to teach my kids to laugh at themselves too. It's so much easier if you don't take life too seriously all the time and learn to appreciate the moment. Sometimes that means being the first to laugh at ourselves. Seriously, funny is funny!
Love unconditionally. This kind of love really is only possible through the source of Love, Himself. Luke 6 tells us "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you...If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." The gospel of Matthew tells us the greatest commandment of them all is to
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” To be really honest I have found it the easiest to love this way where my kids are concerned. I love them unconditionally. There really isn't anything they could ever do to lose my love for them. That means I love them enough to discipline them with guidance and structure and even punish them when they go astray. That's the example God gives to me. He loves me enough!! We don't always do so great at loving others as we love ourselves. For that matter, we don't always do so great at loving ourselves. I have come to a place where I understand that if I accept whatever it is people are capable of offering, I am not disappointed.
I love my God, family, friends and life. I have room for improvement on loving my enemies, I will admit. I love God's creations in nature. I love a beautiful sunset and the view of the vast ocean. I love to star gaze, especially over a moonlit lake. I love the smell of fragrant flowers and the scent of a baby's head. I love hearing a baby laugh and kids playing. I love fireworks on a July 4th celebration. I love to watch people in any social setting. I love spending time with my family. I love getting lost in a great book and falling in love with its characters. I love football, especially watching my son play. I love the feel of a cool breeze on a fall night around a campfire. I love a hot cup of tea and candles burning in the wintertime. I love being able to give a gift and know it made someone happy.
To each who read this I offer this blessing to you and yours that you may understand and be able to live out Live...Laugh... Love!
WooHoo!! Mentioned in your blog! haha!! You ARE very funny and I love your stories and your laughter. It's always a good time when Tish is around!!! So blessed to call you my friend! xoxo
ReplyDelete