Life is a Gift

Recently as Rico the MorKY and I were taking our daily stroll around Midway, we reached the top of the pebbled path winding around Walter Bradley Park near the back of the elementary school.   Our ears perked up, catching laughter bouncing around in the air off to our left. 

...melodies so sweet, spontaneous, natural, and overflowing with sheer delight that steadily rose to meet the stunningly blue, cloudless sky....

Upon seeing three young children rolling, tumbling, giggling their way down the side of a slight hill, my mind flashed back to my own children delighting in such an adventure.  Then I thought of myself.  Why, I could also remember rolling down hills!

"Go!" my sister squealed, and together we spiraled, bumping, thumping, and trying to hold the proper form to master the  fastest roll.  

Rolling down a hill meant enjoying the moment, feeling carefree and utterly thrilled, finding joy in the process. 

Even now when I observe my own granddaughters captivated by curiosity and swept away by wonder, I think I want to be just like that.  

Too often, the weight of the world, my to-do list, getting 'er done, burrow down on my heart and mind, and I forget to simply take a deep breath and relish the snapshot of my life at any given moment.   Everything I do is a process of some type.  Can I, too, find joy in the ordinary? There's my morning routine, grading compositions, crafting a post, scripting a podcast, reaching out to a friend, walking with Rico. 

In the middle of mundane, I wanna purpose to come alive a bit more.  To try something new.  To do something backwards.  To stimulate my brain and mind.  To engage my surroundings.  To accept the challenges, though a bit frightful.  To do hard even if it hurts.     To seek that divine interruption.

And I think, how?  How can I slow things down just a bit?  What can I do to focus on what matters most as I go about my business each day?  Is there a simple flash of fun to be had?  A heightened awareness of God's presence in my life?

On otherwise rare occasions,  I've glimpsed a fleeting understanding of the treasures buried in awe-inspiring verses like "be still and know that I am God" and "delight yourself in the Lord."   Sometimes I encounter a moment where my delight spills over, my heart jumps alive, and the electricity of living life bursts through my spiritual veins spilling over into my tangible reality.   And in a flash I meet Joy who burns away my worries and cares.

It's the exhilaration of rolling down the hill, spinning, smelling the earth, feeling the blades of grass crumple against your skin.  It's the blessing of coming fully alive and being fully present with those around you.  It's the freedom that comes when you trust with utter abandon.  Then, it's the pausing to whisper to God just how grateful you are.  

Life.

Life is a gift.  An incredibly amazing, breath-taking gift. 

I hope I learn how to truly live it, how to enjoy and rest in God's presence finding the blessings in each extraordinarily ordinary moment.     

Teach me, LORD, how to live my life in a way that honors You. 
Show me what it means to be still and know You. 
Help me to delight in You in such a way that ignites my faith and trust. 
When my children and grandchildren look at me,
may they see joy, hope, delight, and life. 
Help me to be present with all my being. 
Remind me I am yoked with You
a position that grants me freedom to truly live.
​AMEN.

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Coming soon on the Choose 2 Think Podcast:  Episode 039:  The Gift of Life, a true story about one family's journey through the process of organ donation.  Be sure to tune in.  And if you enjoyed this post, please like and share.