Today, I read a sobering story of a young mother who passed away, leaving behind a husband, 2 children, and a baby boy. My heart broke, as I thought of her young girls, who would not have the opportunity of having their mother be present for their marriage, and the baby boy that would grow, missing out on ever really knowing his mother. I felt an overwhelming sense of loss for her husband who would battle, trying to figure out how to balance working and caring for three children...and the moments of loneliness he would experience in the months and years that lay ahead.
While all of these sobering thoughts dashed through my head, I also recalled dear friends who suffered physically this year, friends who experienced strokes, battled with cancer, and lost loved ones.
Friends, life is fragile. We honestly don't know what our future holds. With all these heavy, sobering thoughts, I felt compelled to encourage you to LIVE life to the fullest!!!
I love how Luke writes in Luke 12:22-26, how Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (NIV)
You see...God has an incredible purpose for your life and I want to encourage you to listen to hear what that is. Ask God to reveal it to you. And when He reveals it to you, I want to encourage you to (with every ounce of strength He gives you) embrace the mission...throw caution to the wind...run the race set out before you.
Love deeply. Embrace your family. Forgive even the ones who don't ask for it. Life is too short to live ANY OTHER way.
Today, I want to challenge you with this thought: "If this were your last day, how would you spend it?" (Now don't go calling in sick for work...understand what I'm saying.) Seize every moment. Enjoy every friendship. Encourage all those you come in contact with! AND MOST OF ALL...QUIT WORRYING!
Dream Big. Laugh Often...KNOWING God's Got It ALL Under Control. (He really does!)
PRAYER: Reveal Your purposes for our life. Help us to know Your thoughts. Strengthen us. Help us to live life to the fullest, resting in WHO YOU ARE! In Jesus name, amen.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. Jesus said that the ravens don't worry about their food because God feeds them. He also used ravens to feed Elijah. Therefore, God has a thousand ways to take care of the things in my life that I keep worrying about. :)
ReplyDeleteDebbie
With each passing week, it seems that I am being burned down a bit more by my travails, yet I feel that I am becoming stronger with each week, too. So, God is remolding me to reach my life's purpose. God is good!
ReplyDeleteHallelujah to that! And each day is a gift, that I want to view with my God glasses on!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a great encourager Julie! Always pointing us to Jesus!! I really appreciate every post!
Love,
Julie
Julie, this was awesome, heart-felt, and truly inspiring. I want to thank you on behalf of Vanessa's family for sharing your deep inspiration from her life and death here. She continues to inspire even now. Again, thank you. God hears our prayers.
ReplyDeleteThis is Vanessa's husband. Vanessa lived a wonderful life and was always happy. She didnt lose her fight to cancer as the cancer is still her eon earth. She is up in heaven with a new healthy body. Thank you so much for this article. It has helped in a small way of mending my broken heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I needed this today!
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for all your feedback...please keep this family in your prayers...
ReplyDeleteAnd, to Vanessa's husband, thank you for taking the time to respond to this post...I can only imagine your thoughts, feelings, and pain right now. I pray the comfort of God's presence will help you in every decision that needs to be made. All the arrangements. The decision of how to best honor Vanessa. And the wisdom of knowing how to minister to your children. May His grace overshadow you, may He surround you with support from loving, caring, and amazing people! I rejoice with you that Vanessa is in the presence of God, in her glorified body, what a time of celebration she is having...I want to encourage you to press in to God, hold fast to His presence, and let you know if there is any way I can help...let me know. Covering you in prayer!