I wonder if Less is More? A fresh look at a new year

One of my goals this year is to truly "Love" who I am. To be kind in my thoughts, words, and actions and to be loving towards myself. To make sure I am living life on purpose to further the kingdom of God and to sow into our children the type of seed that will produce mature responsible adults. Now that may sound silly to some, but I truly believe we live in a time where we are constantly trying to keep up with the trends which often lead us to believe if we don't have the new and improved iPhone 10,000  or the new PlayStation 20xl, then we can't be happy or if you don't look a certain way something is wrong with us. We live in the time where older people can't embrace and love their wrinkles that they respectfully earned and deserve the right to wear.  We are constantly looking for the tightening cream that will dramatically decrease our wrinkles in the next two weeks. Why is it wrong to get older, isn't that a privilege denied to many? Why do celebrities go to such extremes to make their foreheads no longer move? We start young kids off by taking them to routinely get their nails done or a pedicure, now I like those things as well but I also know how crazy expensive it can be, and yet I see so many young ones there I think how can they afford this?? When I was their age I was working 3 jobs saving money for a car and house? (Yes I'm that old I can tell those type of stories) I know times have changed, parents do more for their kids then ever before, but I can't help and wonder... Do the kids then end up with less? Do they not learn the value of a dollar and a hard day's work? Are they going to think everything in life will come so easily? I see at the store people putting necessities back in order to get their wants fulfilled, as a young mom said, "What don't we need this week because I have to get my new phone." When did cell phones and cable replace the importance of food? When did our "I can't live withouts" become new clothes, shoes, hair, nails, cell phones, and game systems...Instead of food, shelter, heat, and transportation? I'm not saying this from a judgmental point but from a concerned parental point of view. One in which I do some self evaluation as well and take stock and inventory to make sure I'm raising healthy kids that are able to see what hard work is and NOT expect things in life to be handed to them. One in which I have to ask myself, "Am I doing this all wrong?" "Maybe sometimes less is more?" "What changes do we need to make in order to grow healthy young adults?" So as we move forward into the new year my heart's desire is to teach myself as well as my kids the value of each and everyday, the value of hard work and responsibility, that their thoughts are so very important, to speak words of kindness, and finally to look beyond our own needs to see how God might use us to help others.

Dreaming of a thousand more moments with you

I read this quote tonight:  A thousand moments I had taken for granted, mostly because I assumed there would be a thousand more...and it really hit me hard. I thought about how often we take for granted the ones that mean the most to us, never knowing when our last time spent with them will be. Life can be so very unpredictable at times, we always think tragedies will strike someone else, never close to home, and then they do. I honesty don't know what's worse... watching a loved one slowly fade away to a life debilitating disease, where you'd have some time to prepare yourself, do what's important, and get to say goodbye? On the same side of that coin you slowly see who they once were slowly fade away, and watch as they suffer and pray for God to take your precious loved one because you can't bare to see them suffer anymore. Or is it worse to suddenly lose them and not have the chance to say goodbye or savor the last moments you had with them? Then there is the regret that attaches itself to "if only I had known, I would have..." And the heartbreak that follows from the thousand moments that you thought you'd have together are no longer in the near future. No matter  "how" you lost your precious loved one... I want to reassure you, if you ever doubt for a moment or regret your last goodbye or final moments spent with them... That your loved one knows how much you loved them. I fully believe they understand how much you loved them far better then they ever did while they were alive. Don't allow regret to steal the years of love that was shared, or the joyous memories made...and don't allow death to steal your future hope of eternal life with them, Christ is our hope, he came to save us. Don't let Satan convince you that death put a period where Christ has put a comma. When Christ said it is finished on the cross, he meant death was defeated for all who trust in him. Losing someone we love no matter the circumstances is never easy. The cost of love is the desire to spend an eternity together, God planted this desire in everyone's heart because this life was never meant to satisfy, we were designed to crave eternity with God... the ones we get to love while we are here on earth are an added bonus. So surround yourself with those who love you, dream of those thousands of moments to come in eternity, spent with no more sickness no more tears because there will be a day when this life is but a distant memory. What a glorious day that shall be. I love this quote: One day the paper will read that I have died... Don't believe that for a moment for on that day I will be more alive than I have ever been!" Until that day cling to Christ and those you cherish.