I want to take it all in.

      

 Psalm 62:1 ~ Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

     Yesterday, I talked about not missing a second of life. Today's post is about taking it all in. I know what you're thinking.  "I work," or "I am a mom.  I am busy and I have a to-do list down to the floor.  How can I possibly get all this done and still 'take it all in?' I mean, I am so overwhelmed my brain can't stop thinking and racing.  I barely have time to eat and sleep.  Coffee is my lifeline to being focused.  Life has become such a blur."  Have you ever felt like this? Do you still feel like this ?

     

      I know that feeling so very well. It tends to overwhelm me, just listing off all the things I need to do. Knowing the list won't go away starts to get to me. I find myself praying on the go, everything becomes so to-go. So how, with all the stuff on our never-ending list, can we get it all done and still see the blessings life has to offer?  Can we find in each day, moments to remember without turning that into just another chore? We can, and here's how.  Ask your self two questions: why and how. WHY are you doing what you are doing? HOW are you able to do what you are doing ? 

     Here's an example: Grocery shopping. Why are you going grocery shopping?  So you can provide  food for you and your family.  How are you able to buy the groceries?  Either you or someone you love has been blessed with a good job and has worked hard to make the money so you can buy those groceries.  My point...? When you step back and see the motivation and the provision behind the things you have to do, it helps you to see why you are doing what you are doing and for whom you are doing it. When you realize you have a good reason for doing the things on your list and that it is positively affecting the people you love, it suddenly doesn't seem so routine and meaningless but has purpose.  

  

      So next time you are at the store, tired from work, caring for your children, or whatever fills up your days, remind yourself that you have very good reasons for doing what you are doing, and that you are blessed to be able to do it. So take your time and take that list in. Take all of the items on your list and ask the how and why questions. Realize that your list has purpose and that it is a true blessing in disguise.  No matter how routine it may seem, don't forget to 'take it all in.'  

I want to not miss a second of my life.

  

     Psalm 139:16~ Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.(NIV)  


      I want to not miss a second of my life.  You might be saying, "Oh great, another "Carpe Diem" post."  I won't say I don't like that saying because I do.  Is there anything unbiblical about saying "seize the day?" I don't think so. So please keep reading, so you know what I really mean.

      We live in a fast-paced, technology-driven, and constant social interaction and nonstop society. My generation, which they call 'millennials', those who came of age in the 2000's and younger, have it worse than those who lived before the electronics and technology took over. Why? I hate silence or don't even like leaving the social world for two minutes. My phone is within arm's length at all times. If it's not, I am still waiting for it to make some sound, telling me one of my social networks has something new for me--Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Messenger-- or perhaps a text from one of my family members or friends. Music and TV just add to the constant communication need and make life more "noisy". . . so I don't have to hear the quiet.

     My point ? ... God did not create any of these things that create such noise in our life. While he did let humans create them, He Himself did not create them. Now don't hear me wrong and think I am saying that you can't use all of the technology and networking sites mentioned above, because unless God leads me to give them up, I am not planning to. I am saying, however, that some days I feel as though the noisy things make me miss life and moments that I should take in.

     I'm saying that we would benefit greatly if, from time to time, we would step away from the noisy things in our life long enough to cherish the moment. Find time to do things worth remembering and, sure, Instagram some moments along the way. Just make sure your focus is on life and not on that screen on your phone. Make sure Twitter knows about your quotable moments but doesn't have so much it can quote you. Facebook can know that you bought a car or that you just saw your new niece or nephew for the first time.  You can snapshot a few moments and tell us what you are doing or what your're learning once in awhile. But Facebook shouldn't see your face more than those special people in your life do.  And you don't need to text everyone.  Save those texts for those who need to hear an encouraging word or those from whom you can find encouragement.
    
     There will never be another today. Who is worth you time today? Look at your family and friends. Who do you want to make memories with today? Time passes too fast to miss any of it. So invest in those around you and build your life with the guidance of God.  Make sure to take time to slow down and hear the still small voice that God often speaks in. Spend time reading His word. Take each moment and situation in life as it comes. Feel everything with your heart, and touch as many people as you can. Take in each second laugh and smile, Take it all in.  "Seize the day!"

Its coming...

The series is coming. Just taking a little longer than expected. If not tonight, the first one will be up tomarrow.  Thanks for being patient ��!!

What do I really want out of life? ...

I have some exciting ideas coming up for my blog here. The biggest one is a series of posts under the name: What do I really want out of life?  I am planning to do one post a day Monday - Friday and a more fun post or posts on the weekend. There are 25 parts of this series so as you can tell, I have my work cut out for me. This question brought up a lot of answers to ponder. And I want to share with you the stories behind all of my answers. I want to start posting on Monday and go from there. Oh, you have no idea how excited I am. To be able to share what God has been teaching me... such a humbling thing for me.