January 13, 2019

Today was such a great day! I absolutely loved our message at church.

Patrick Conrad shared such a great word about living our lives on purpose. I was saying “that’s right” and “amen” so many times I probably aggravated the people around me!  🙂 

The reason I loved it so much was because THIS is the key to the peace and joy that I have found in this season of life. I was blessed to have a mom who, when she was dying of cancer, stressed to her 35-year-old daughter the importance of living a life of significance and of investing in things that are eternal. Hearing our message today reminded me again of how very important it is that we are teaching THIS lesson to our children. They pay attention to our actions much more than just the words that we say. We can spend so much time focused on this life - our careers, homes, etc., when as Pastor Patrick said, we are doing “major remodels on a six-month lease”. We invest so much time, effort and worry into the things that will be gone in no time. 

The fact is, I have cancer. And I had a great visit to the doctor last week. And God Can! Whatever He wants to happen in my life, will happen. But the fact for all of us is, this life is temporary. None of us will live forever here, this is the “short-term” destination and the only thing that matters here is that we live with significance as we prepare for our eternal lives. 

If I can accomplish one thing in my life, my goal is to express and live out this message. We need to do the things that matter, that are eternal. Make sure that when this life is over, we have something eternal to show for our time here. 

James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” 

"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." - Philippians 4:4-7 (The Message)