"Life is short, I wanna live it well. I’ve got one life, one story to tell." (Switchfoot, “Live it well”)

I have spent far too many of my days crying in my bed because I was depressed for no reason.

I have spent far too many of my days comparing myself to other people instead of being happy with who God created me to be.

I have spent far too many of my days worrying about trivial matters that really don't matter.

I have spent far too many of my days trying to please other people, often accidentally morphing myself into who they want me to be.

I have spent far too many of my days thinking my big dreams in this small town were too silly to reach and pursue.

 
But, I have not spent far too many of my days laughing and crying from laughter until the sun rises because this life is just too beautiful to live.

Or being happy with my gifts and talents that are unique as created by our Father above.

Or not giving a care in the world as to if this person or that approves of who I am, what I am wearing, or believes in the hopes of my heart.

Or learning to please myself above others because I need to be who I am, not who someone else wanted me to be.

Or believing that I can and will do anything I set my mind to because maybe those big dreams in this wee little town are what Christ has been calling me to all along.

 

And isn't that a problem? That all the things I want to do I do not do, and all the things I do not do, I want to do. (Romans 7:14-25, ERV) That I've spent so much time on this temporary earth doing the things that make me sad instead of happy. Or giving up on who I once was just to morph into something or someone else that is far from my own character. That I've tried to please others, when really all that left me with was brokenness. But is that really the life Christ has called me to? Of course not! And why? Because "life is short and I want to live it well. I've got one life and one story to tell. I'm living for more than just a funeral."(Switchfoot, “Live it well”)

So, I think it is time we start living.  We start doing the things we want to do and not the things we don't.  We start fighting against the spiritual war inside of us and for the good that God has planned instead of the evil of our vices.  We start finding the inner joy we buried deep inside our souls when we were so consumed with transforming ourselves into different versions of ourselves and digging it up with a shovel because it no longer needs to be hidden.  We start living joyously instead of worrying furiously.  But are finding those things really all so hard? Weren't you full of joy, and love, and laughter, and not a care in the world at some time? I'm sure you were, and so was I.


I was a little girl with wide bright eyes and a bushy tale of love, and hope, and joy, and dreams to share.  Of laughter, happiness, silliness, sunshine, and dreams.  No fear, no worries, no cares, no status or reputation. But a ton of courage, dedication, and faith held in her hands that would someday shape the world that she wanted to see.  Not the one she presently lived in, full of hatred, fear and strife, but of the one she dreamed about in her sleep that God was calling her to change.

So, I think it is time you remember her. Who exactly you might ask? Ahh, I'm sure you know who I'm talking about! The little girl staring back at you in the mirror, with a subtraction of 10 years. With those wide eyes, big dreams, and not a care in the world as to what other people think. She has a joy for living, and loving, and hoping and succeeding. Isn't it time we bring her back? She's been gone and missing for quite a while. But guess what!? She is still there.  Inside you waiting, just praying to be released. Finally, I think it's time... Let's go get her.

 
(Photo belongs to Photographer, "Live it well")

Agape, Amber

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