the little things

 

As I was driving to a friend's house on Sunday for our weekly girls' night I had a feeling wash over me.    Something told me to really enjoy my time with my girls: For our talking, for our games, for our laughter, or for whatever our night would bring.   
I often find myself thinking about the next thing, the next day, the next chore.   Often watching the clock for no real reason.
But in that moment, I wanted to be fully PRESENT in my time with my people.   
We are not promised another day, or even another moment.... so we should live fully in the NOW. 
 
I told the girls about my revelation, which didn't come across as very deep when I said it out loud. ha-ha.  We all kinda know this in our beings.   But in our society, being present in the moment is easier said than done.   
I went on to enjoy my evening.... no timeline.... just making memories where it mattered.

This idea of being present has followed me into the week as well.  (I love it when God is driving home a good point).   

Greg and I watched the final episode of This is Us** last night.   And guess what?!.... the entire episode was strategically written to remind us to embrace the little things in life.  Those little things are often the most important. 
The main character, who struggled with memory loss in her older years, had the biggest fear of losing simple memories of a Saturday afternoon that the family spent together when her kids were young.   Those little moments, little memories, were the important ones! 

Watching this show, working at the funeral home, as well as witnessing health issues with others- I'm becoming more keenly aware that we can't escape death and it's the living that we need to do, now.  

YouTube recommended a Ted Talk to me, today, which touched on the same subject!  Go figure.   This gal is pretty inspiring.
Here's the synopsis of her talk:

Elin Kjos is a sport’s trainer who was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer two years ago. She was given less than a year to live and has yet defeated all odds. Everyday, she shares her journey with her hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram. Today, she will talk about how her cancer diagnosis changed her perspective on life. Through this story telling, we hope you will be inspired to start living your life in a more meaningful way. Elin is a former elite swimmer, an entrepreneur in physical training & health and a life inspirer with the motto “Life is here and now”. Since two years ago, she lives with the diagnosis of an incurable lung cancer and wants to inspire others to dare others to live life to its fullest everyday - regardless of diagnoses or challenges in life.

I'm inspired to take hold of my moments,  to make them count. To be present with my people. To be a better listener.  To relax.  To take it all in.  

"Take the risks.  Make the big moves, even if they're small ones.  Forge ahead with your lives in any and every direction that moves you.  I'm asking you to be fearless. "  Rebecca Pearson #ThisIsUs 

We've only got one shot, one opportunity.   Let's make it count!

** This Is Us had FANTASTIC writers.    Over the seasons, we watched an entire family over many decades.  Generation after generation.  With rewinds and fast forwards.   Such a great, poignant show.  10 out of 10, would recommend.

something good is coming

 I'm super late to the world of listening to podcasts.   Basically because I never really knew how to listen to them.  lol.  
"Just download the Google Podcast App".   
oh!  ha.  That was simple.

I've been opened up to a whole new world of educational entertainment.   I listen to some dark historical stuff, some minimalism stuff, some comedians, and some faith based folks.   I know there's a ton of material out there and I'm very slowly identifying podcasts that fit my interests.  I have enjoyed listening to people way smarter than me, who have researched well, explain all of the things.
(any suggestions?)

The other day I was listening to some chick interview Andrew Peterson.  
 Andrew was talking about how he went through a period of depression several years ago.  He described how he would often sit and cry for no apparent reason.  His wife would come to him, hold his head in her hands, tell him to look at her... and she would say to him, "Something good is coming".   He said that was such an important reminder.   
And that phrase has stuck with me the past few days.

"Something good is coming."

I'm currently IN the "good" and I don't want to take a moment for granted!   
However, I can easily remember my own dark moments of the past.  I remember how long those nights were after Thayer died.  How dark my future felt.  I know people probably suggested that I go on some type of medication to make the loss bearable, but I wanted to experience the feelings, the emotions, and see how Jesus met me there in the depths.  I think it's important to be able to feel those dark moments and to be reminded that "something good is coming".

God always provides a way. 

In my case, my "good" came from my community of friends and family.  My "good" came from God continually providing for my needs- mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.   

I can't say enough about how God has consistently surrounded me with the right people at the right time. 
Granted, I have had to often seek out - or create - my own "community" in many seasons of my life.  I had to put myself out there, send the texts, make the calls (ack!),  attend the groups, plan the activities, invite others IN.... but in every instance God surrounded me with the right people: My life-long friends as well as those who have come and gone.   

It's a precious thing to think back and remember all of the people who have brought the good.   
Even more precious to thank God for his provisions.    
God always provides a way- just look for it.

Something good is coming.

on the road

I love a good road trip.  So when Greg suggests mini vacations, I am always on board.   Last month we headed to Kentucky to visit the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.     

Upon booking the hotel in Florence, Kentucky we realized that we were just moments away from Cincinnati- which encouraged Greg to snag some tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game.     

We spent two full days reading about creation, the history of the Bible, the significance of Jesus, all about animal adaptation and seeing possible ways the ark could have sustained Noah and the crew.   We watched a speaker talk about aliens (or lack thereof), and watched presentations about various topics.   All in all, a fun, educational outing.  

After that we headed over the the ball park to watch a baseball game.   Well.... Greg watched a baseball game.   I basically people-watched and bided my time until I got a hotdog and popcorn.   Greg is slowly learning that concession food is really all that can keep me happy in a stadium.    

 This past weekend we went to a For King and Country concert. And next week we are heading to a John Crist Show!   

 I LOVE our outings.  Most of all... I love spending time with my guy.  :)