I love the blogging world and I miss the blogging world when I just don't have time to be a part of it! I realize that it's been almost a month since my last post. A sure sign that life with four kids in the month of May is just WAY too busy!
Sometimes in the "busyness" of this world, I can so easily forget what really matters until I come across something that helps me refocus and remember. This happened recently when a dear friend of mine, Jen DeKlotz, referred me to an amazing link on the site: http://www.deathisnotdying.com/. It's the story of 37 year old Rachel Barkey who is dying of cancer, and most likely has only has a matter of days or months left on this earth.
Rachel, who loves her husband and five year old daughter and one year old son fiercely, spoke to the women at her church in a fifty minute talk, and described her cancer in the hands of a sovereign God. This is a woman who gets it. She gets the whole deal. She understands and accepts that a loving God could allow her to contract this horrific form of bone cancer. She understands that her suffering may be what God uses to help usher just one soul into eternity. And if that be the case, she says it will be worth it and ok. Rachel is very well read and in addition to God's word, she lists her book list on the website.
I encourage you to find time in your own "busyness" of life and make a cup of tea and listen to her message. I promise you it will be fifty minutes very well spent. In fact, it might very well affect how you approach each day for the rest of your time here on earth. My favorite quote from her talk was, "I am here to serve with joy."
Here's one more quote I recently came across...
"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."
- Mark Batterson
- Mark Batterson
Dear Lord,
You know how busy we all are, especially at this time of the year. Would you help us to realize the brevity of life each day? Would you help us to believe you for great things in our life and to accept your sovereign plans for our lives, whatever those may be. More than anything, help us to remember that in the blink of an eye we will be spending eternity with you where there will be no more pain and no more sorrow, only pure joy.
Money Saving Tip
Have you found the local dollar store in your area? You'll find gift bags for a dollar, tissue paper for a dollar, and all kinds of school supplies. Some dollar stores have fresh produce for a dollar. I just found out that my local dollar store creates a dozen balloon arrangements for far less than the local party goods store. You just might want to go and check it out!
Now go and enjoy every moment!
Kim
