Living to the Hilt

Life's busy-ness can easily get out of hand, if we let it. To God, we must look like a bunch of ants scurrying around during the day always in a hurry to be somewhere. There are endless activities to do, pressure to "get involved", and an ever-growing "to-do" list. You're supposed to go, go, go! If you're in a hurry, that means you're important in this world.

Taking a reading break outside with Eli (and his pen).
I've found that as a new stay-at-home mom, I need to work at taking a break to just chill for a time during the day. At my corporate job, I had two breaks and a 30-minute lunch each day. Now that I'm a full-time mom and homemaker, I've forgotten the importance of taking those breaks! Working and being productive is good, but too much of a good thing can turn bad. It's important to take time to hang out with family and friends and sometimes to just enjoy a quiet moment to yourself because who knows if there will be a tomorrow?

Earlier this week, I was reading in James 4 and it offers some great perspective on enjoying the present time:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
James says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes." Who says you have so many years to spend with your family, with your children, doing this, or doing that? Who says you have so much time to accept God's grace and live for Him?! I hope we all have many happy years ahead of us, but I just have to pose the question. These verses really get me thinking. Am I living each day to the full or am I living in the future?

Livin' for the Weekend

We can get wrapped up in weekend plans or next year plans or the next season of life. But, remember, we aren't promised tomorrow! You have this very second of life. That is a hard concept to grasp (especially for young people). A common thought is: Why, I'm only a 20-something, I've got all the time in the world! But, realistically, that's an assumption, not the truth. What if you keep putting off that time with your family? What if you don't tell someone how much you appreciate them until it's too late? or What if you put off living for Jesus Christ and knowing Him as your Lord and Savior until it's too late? That's the very difference between eternity in heaven or eternity in hell.

Talk about humbling! Guilty as charged; I definitely take life for granted. I've definitely wasted time that God has blessed me with worrying about the future and dwelling on the past. Sometimes, I fall for Satan's lie and life feels "too busy" to enjoy the present moment. This quote by Jim Elliot is what I aim to do:

"Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." Jim Elliot, Christian missionary.

Being All There

I love that. Wherever you are, be ALL THERE. When Jesus speaks to us in John 10:10, He isn't telling us to just "get through" our days here, but live to the full! Or as Jim Elliot says, "live to the hilt!"
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
I love spending time with these guys!
Sure, there is always work to be done and being present doesn't mean you shouldn't be productive during the day. Being present means finding joy in even your work - seriously, I've even found joy in shoveling horse manure at times! It means taking a second to breath during the day, spending these precious days with my son, cuddling with my husband, hanging with friends, and meeting new people! Being present means finding joy in daily tasks; having quiet time, reading the Bible, a good cup of coffee, running, writing, and especially time with my two guys! My to-do list will always be there and so will the laundry, dishes, and dirt.

Today, remember God's Truth and that quote by Jim Elliot. We're not promised tomorrow, so be all there, wherever you may be. Once each moment has passed, you can never have it back and you never know which will be your last.

What does "being present" look like to you?

Here's a couple recent pictures I had to share!
Moto Boy! Uncle Ryan wants Eli to race motocross... mom does not :)
It's harvest time, so Leo is spending most of his time in the "office".
He took this picture, by the way. I was so proud!

Running Recap

M - 6 mile jogging stroller run.

T - Circuit Training Workout 4 + 5.5 mile easy jogging stroller run with a running group friend.

W - Six-Pack Abs Workout Level 1.

H - 6 mile run with jogging stroller; 4 miles at marathon pace. Not feeling very well; very tired and not sleeping much due to a sick little boy :(

F - Sick. Walked errands around town with Eli, due to both of the "car seat friendly" vehicles being unavailable.

Sun - 14 mile long run, not feeling very well :( 2:04 at 8:51/mile average pace.

Total Mileage - 31.5 miles

Serenity you

Photobucket

Comments

  1. I understand the need to just be. Being present can be a challenge if we allow it to be. It's not something I may want to admit that I struggle with, and perhaps there's a lesson in there.

    What if we're not fully present, but we're as present as we can be in a given moment? Is that wrong? What do we do with our perception of "being present?"

    I say this because I am letting go of being super hard on myself. There are some days (or moments) when I'm not present at all or to the level I'd like to be. That's okay though, for me, if I'm doing my best.

    Beating myself up, though, for what I could have or should have isn't beneficial to my growth on being more present.

    Just my thoughts...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Being as present at you can be at that moment shouldn't be wrong! You ask some really good questions. It's a very important to not beat yourself up about everything - I have a hard time with that myself. Giving myself grace is something struggle with. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  2. Great points, Amy. I've realized more and more the past year how important it is to enjoy the moment and stop worrying about tomorrow - or most of then case, getting back to that To-Do list. I'm reading a great book on organizing right now and the author talks about how she learned to not let the To-Do list control her but rather let it be a guide. And to expect not to finish it all. It's a very freeing perspective.

    Thanks for linking up with It's a Mom's Life. I hope you'll join us again this coming week (starting tonight!)

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