Today I went to the funeral of my great Uncle. He was only 74 years old. He died as a result of a disease he has battled for several years now. The disease attacked his body in such a way that he eventually lost muscle function and movement of his ENTIRE body. He spent his last year and a half lying on his back in a bed in a nursing home.
At the funeral, one of his sons admitted that he is very bitter over the death of his father. He said that it wasn't fair that just when his dad was getting into his retirement and getting a chance to really enjoy life, his was taken away. The pastor commented later in the service that while he was a little bitter too over Charles early departure from this earth, that he was now in a better place where he wouldn't even miss the past 3 years or so he spent in pain. And the pastor also reminded us that we shouldn't wait until retirement to begin enjoying life. That we need to begin enjoying our life today.
That got me thinking about my life. How much of my life do I really enjoy? Do I enjoy "discussing" with my almost 4 year old why she can't have another snack after we just had that same discussion 5 minutes before? Do I enjoy changing 6 diapers a day, half of which are poopy - day after day after day after day...? Do I enjoy paying bills, doing laundry, cooking dinner, running countless errands to keep my family functioning, going to the grocery store??? My answer is no. But why don't I enjoy those things? Because they are things I can't stop doing, how can I begin to enjoy them? I don't have an answer but will be seeking God to help me find the joy in the daily tasks.
You see, I don't want to look back on my life in 30 years and wonder where the time went and wished I had enjoyed it more. This is my life, the life God designed and intended for me to have. He gave this life to me to enjoy and to make His name known. To not enjoy it would be an insult to my Creator - like I'm telling him the life he gave me is not good enough.
And by the way, who says I'll even be around in 30 years to wish for it all back. There is a quote that says, "Enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life."
What are you doing (or not doing) to enjoy this moment that God has given you? Please share - it may give me and others the encouragement we need to truly find the joy that God intended for us to have.
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4 comments:
I loved this post Sabrina. I can truly relate and your feelings are my exact same thoughts that I've been having lately. I wish that I had words of wisdom for you, but I really don't. Instead of enjoying being a mother and doing the daily tasks of motherhood with joy and thanksgiving in my heart, I often am not enjoying those moments and glorifying God in those times. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for my children and family and they do make me very happy, but I have too thought a lot about how to take those daily tasks and enjoy them and glorify God altogether. I feel like I'm rambling...I do feel that God is telling me that what I am doing is pleasing in His sight, but I know that I could do so much more and not get so hung up on the detail of the little things in my life. Your uncles story is so sad and a reality check that this life is a vapor and these moments matter. It could all be so different for any of us in a heartbeat. I pray today for God to open our minds and hearts to the gift of life, to be mindful that it is a vapor, and to take each moment we are given and make the most of it by by being thankful, happy, and giving it back to the Lord. I loved that quote by the way!
I think this season in my life is characterized by my friends. What better way to enjoy poopy diapers and LOTS of mundane chores than laughing about it with a person who is doing the same stuff? Motherhood has given me a common thread with lots of women. We share, cry, laugh, blog, pray, and bake fish sticks together. I just love it...
Great question Sabrina! Your family is beautiful!
I think sometimes it's hard to enjoy our lives because there is so much negativity out there. Sometimes the negative thought automatically arrives first. When I started having a longer commute to work, I changed which radio station I listened to because the morning hosts on the alternative rock station were so negative. I would get mad at other drivers too easily because of the whining I listened to. Thankfully, we have a Christian alternative rock station and the hosts have great things to say to encourage us as we start our day.
Have you heard about A Complaint-free World? I read an article in People last year about a pastor who challenged his church to go 21 days w/o complaining. They created purple bracelets to wear, and when you catch yourself complaining you switch the wrist you wear it on. Their ministry in this has really grown. I personally ordered about 50 bracelets, so I will bring them and a copy of the article when I'm up there in August. I have to admit I stopped wearing mine. I need to start again.
you're blogging again!! i'm so excited to see you back...it makes me want to start up again. thanks for the motivation. i miss your face. let's get together soon. we can change poopy diapers together. :)
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