I sit on my porch in the early morning listening to the birds sing, watching my dogs explore the yard, and waiting for the still pond to awake with the timer set fountain. It is peaceful. I think, this is how life should be….calm…relatively quiet….awaiting the new day.
I walk into my office with the phone to my ear. A client sits in our conference room on his first call of the day. Shannon is at the front desk checking messages. Things seem normal. There is energy, buzz, things happening. I think, this is how life should be….ready for the new day.
I called my daughter last Thursday. It was her birthday. She had opened one of her presents and was trying on the shoes I ordered for her from Anthropologie. It was a Thursday, so she had work. But, plans were made. I asked her husband to get a special bottle of champagne from us for them to celebrate with. They were heading to a friend’s that evening for an outdoor-dinner for four to celebrate; homemade cake and all. I think, this is how life should be…celebrating those we love. A new day, a new year awaits my baby-turned-27 daughter.
Yesterday, we attended a confirmation service at our church welcoming a dozen or so 6th graders to new life with Jesus. We met outside on the church steps to congratulate and visit. Different than our usual confirmation reception, but when Jesus becomes the focus of your life, you can expect change. Truly new life.
I have come to the conscious conclusion that there is no one right way. As I have pondered life over the past few months, I have rapidly cycled through a need for peace and quiet, a desire for busy and bustle, a realization that family can still be celebrated afar, and a consistent desire for faith, friends and new life in Jesus.
All of us have different lives, yet in many ways, our lives are a series of overlap; along with our varying needs and wants. I hear it through the various conversations I have — both work and personally:
I need to be around people more and not just in front of a computer all day.
I am so happy to see everyone’s faces in person. Worshipping together is the best.
Can we meet in person this week? I am done with Zoom meetings.
I could have stayed at the beach forever. I am not ready to go back to the hectic daily battlefield.
I agree.
I agree with everyone. I want peace and quiet. A feeling that the world is okay because the God, who has always been God, is in control; and always will be. I want a vibrant, purposeful, work environment where people are able to come and find help, support, and inspiration. I need my family. When I think of the future, I mostly think about family and how to be close and connected. I want to celebrate all of the birthdays, holidays, and every day in between with the people I love most.
And, more than ever, I need Jesus.
I need new life. We only have one physical life here on earth, but this life can be made new. In following Christ, we are made new every day.
If you are not sure in this crazy world what to do with your one life to live; live it in step with our Savior. He guides us through storms to still waters. He gives us our purpose and calling. He chose this family for us for a reason; both blood relations and in Him.
He wants our one life to be eternal life. And if we follow Him, it can be our best life to live.
