Life has a way of teaching us in both the mundane days, and the unexpected ones. Being the sort who takes time to process, I have been in a processing mode for a few days as the lessons learned have been hard yet most precious.
I have always lived with the music turned up. Like in – turned up LOUD. Yesterday was no different as I drove to an appointment. I sat in the parking lot for a few extra minutes, listening and realizing it is with my music turned up, and in the sanctuary of my car, that God often meets me.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
(John 10:10b, NKJV)
We are met in the hard moments with abundance, not an abundance of things, but an abundance of Jesus. And truly, He is everything as He is all we need. With His very Presence, He brings an abundance of His peace, His grace, and His mercy and we discover He is all-sufficient for the need.
In this world, social media has absorbed us all, pushing us to be heard, discovered, accomplish, and build a platform.
May we stop to connect. To build relationships. To love those around us and love them well. Sacrificially. Authentically.
For truly in the end it will not be who we knew, or what we did, but how we lived.
Did we live well? Were we present? Did we set our phones down to open our eyes to see the ones we can set our eyes upon? Are we:
- Giving to those in need.
- Holding the hand of a loved one in the hospital.
- Praying for those who are grieving.
- Listening, really listening, to the voice on the other end of the phone.
And yes, it may be hard, but do it anyway. Do it even when you think you cannot. For when we do, we will find our hearts enlarged …
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults””unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back””given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38, MSG)
I love a good commercial and this one from XFinity brings the best suggestion –
“Come together,
Break bread,
Share our day,
Connect as family.”
https://youtu.be/KzMhNuHJMbA
Today I am joining … Unite and #RaRaLInkup and Trekking Thru the Week and Teaching What Is Good .
What a beautiful, honest post! I love the concept that there is an abundance of Jesus in the hard! Praying you are on the other side of this season of hard soon — and even more aware of His glorious grace!
Thank you and Amen, Naomi!
I love this, “We are met in the hard moments with abundance, not an abundance of things, but an abundance of Jesus.” He truly is all we need, and an abundance of His peace and comfort. I will carry this thought with me like a warm blanket on a cold day.
Ahhh, Joanne. Yes, we need to be intentional in how we live, don’t we? Being present in the moments, open to God’s promptings, looking to others rather than our screens. We do our best to keep screens off of the dinner table so we can be “all there” for those moments.
Such a great post!
PS””I loved that commercial. 😉
Truly, all we have is now. I think of eternity as one endless now. Learning to be in the present prepares us for Heaven, I tink.
When I saw your title, I knew this one was for me. 🙂 I always need the reminder to stay present, not wander into the past or into the future. That commercial is fantastic. And this: “We are met in the hard moments with abundance, not an abundance of things, but an abundance of Jesus.” Amen! Thanks for this, Joanne.
Very true ..live in the moment and be present. It’s easy to get distracted by the social media and forget why or what you are doing.