Life. Life. Life. Living. What does it all mean?
How can I fully grasp each present moment I am given?

Lately I have been reading "Passion and Purity" and
"Velvet Elvis" - the first given to me by mom and the
second on loan to me from a friend.

I am being challenged to see each day as a gift, and
as an opportunity to rejoice in the Lord, the lover of
my soul, as I wait patiently for His perfect plans to
unfold, continuing to walk forward step by step, and
taking advantage of every opportunity to give of
myself and also to receive from others. I am fascinated
by the concept of living in the moment these days. How
can I grasp it truly? What does it mean to live there?
What does it mean to really live?

Tonight I played and sang some songs for a group of
ladies gathered at church. It was a small group and
although they mostly chatted, I appreciated the chance
to play in front of people and do something constructive
with my stockpile of songs. I felt there were several
moments of connection among the group of us gathered.

When you experience something, feel something, and then
express it, and someone else can relate to it in some way,
that is life. When you read something someone else thought
to write and you take it inside and let it grow new and good
things inside of you, that is life.

When you just get through a day, that is life. When you drink
coffee and get lots done and write love letters, that is life.
When you make new connections with new people, when you keep
old connections alive, when you make a choice to grow and to
give more of yourself instead of retreat and hide, that is life.

When you take a chance, when you expose your heart, when you
say something that builds up, when you take ownership of your
environment, when you walk dogs and clean your house and talk
to your mom, when you treat yourself, when you ignore those
uncomfortable feelings and reach out in little ways, that is life.

When you talk and interact with other human beings, when you
discuss things and really listen to what is being said and
when you care about really listening and being listened to,
that is life.

When you give up your right to dictate how everything should play
out and let God be God, that is life.

When you work hard at what you have been given to do, that is life.

When you turn your eyes from focusing primarily inward and take it
upon yourself to be concerned with the condition of others, and
when you pray, for yourself or for others, that is life.

When you give up your life and take in the Words of Scripture as
the truth that they are and allow the Spirit of God to move
inside your heart and draw you closer to the heart of God, that is
life.

"This is what the Lord Almighty says:
'Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one
another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the
alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of
each other.'"
--Zechariah 7:9-10

That is life. This life is a loss apart from Christ. But through
the mercy of our Great God, we can give, receive, and live by
laying down our lives and taking up the life in Christ.

It is such a great mystery. It is not easy, but neither is it
a burden. It is about rejoicing and being truly thankful and
filled with love. It is about loving and sacrificing and waiting
on God and being full of joy, hope, faith and love.

I am looking forward. I am looking upward. I need more of Him.

What does living look like for you today?