Just a few weeks ago, our family was standing in our kitchen laughing. I can’t even remember what was so funny, but I remember looking at each face in that room and savoring the sound of their laughter. It was what happened in the next moment that caught me by surprise, however. My oldest looked at me and said, “You don’t laugh very much.” His observation hit me in the gut. I was quick to defend myself, but as I thought about it later, I realized that he was right. I don’t laugh as much as I used to. Why is it that I don’t laugh very much anymore?

I just finished reading a book called, Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday. The author, Valerie Woerner, talks about how we need a change of perspective. She shares that being a mom at any stage isn’t easy, and I think we can all agree that life in general isn’t always easy.  Yet, how often do we allow this knowledge that life isn’t always easy consume us? How often do we allow the stresses of each day, our fatigue, or our fears sew discontentment into our hearts? How often do we allow the disappointments that life can bring cloud our vision and rob us of our joy? What if there was a better way to live our lives? What if instead of just trying to survive our life, we chose to savor it? What if we chose joy?

In the book of John, Jesus says these words:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10 NIV 

Jesus came so that we could have life and have it to the full. That is the life that I want; that is the life that I’m after. I want to enjoy my life even when the circumstances surrounding me are hard. I want to trust that God is in control all of the time and that His plan is always good. I no longer want  to allow my fears to rob me of the joy that comes with each morning. I want to love my people more deeply, enjoy their presence, and I want to laugh. I want to laugh more.

What about you? Are you surviving life or are you savoring it? Are you living a life to the full? If not, what is holding you back?

References:

http://blog.jacquelynvansant.com/2018/07/his-encouragement-john-10-10/.

Woerner, Valerie. Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, Say Goodbye to Stressed, Tired, and Anxious and Say Hello to Renewed Joy in Motherhood. Tyndale, 2019.