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Showing posts with label abundant life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abundant life. Show all posts

July 31, 2012

::the one where we summer::


around january the longing begins. i long for warm nights and hot days. i long for the sun beating down, beads of sweat on my nose. i long for the crunch of scorched grass and the blue of chlorine pools. i long for hours outside with filth so thick on little ones rings line the bath tub at the end of the night. i long for fireflies in mason jars and relaxing on the porch as the sun sets.

summer.

summer 2012 is the last summer before eisley begins school for the first time. it's the last summer the little ones will be five, three and 6 months. so we are making the most of our moments.



we camp. hike and pet wild ponies. the little one wants to keep going and declares herself "the best hiker ever." she takes quiet time in the tent, so much like me in that way. loves people but craves the quiet of solitude for refreshing. we roast marshmallows and read The Little House on the Prairie hours past her bedtime. she snuggles from the chill of the morning and climbs trees like it's her job.





we swim. jump off the diving board and pretend to be mermaids and fish. eisley insists on swimming without swimmies and durgin has absolutely no fear, determined to jump off the diving board backwards like mommy and daddy. rohen kicks her feet and watches her older siblings with adoration.



we have sleep overs and play dates. we have picnics in the living room and watch movies. we ride bikes and read books. oh boy do we read books. we tell stories and make art for display. we eat cupcakes and popsicles. we garden and take pride in our bounty. we make homemade salsa and eat more than we should. we stay up late and wake up early. we live fully.

summer at its finest. making the most of each day. living simply. loving well.


*just writing with heather


June 14, 2011

::the {hot} topic::


"some chrisitans are more offended by the idea of everyone going to heaven than by the idea of everyone going to hell."
-rachel held evans

i've heard more than once the statement "if there is no hell then why follow jesus?"

to which i come to a stand still. mouth on floor. dismayed.
i am no theologian. i do not have all the answers. but i will say this as i heard it said by a man i truly respect in that old baptist church...

"if i found out today that there was no heaven and that there was no hell...i would still follow jesus because i believe it is the absolute best way to live."

amen.
that resonated with me as a young twenty-something sunday school teacher. i didn't know then that i would begin a journey of discovery and these words would prove true and wise.

jesus loved others everyone.
he loved the prostitute. the theif also know as the tax collector.
he loved the full of knowledge and the uneducated.
he loved the rich and the poor.
he loved the ungrateful and the thankful.
he loved the one that didn't have time for him because she was getting things done (thank god for this one). and the one who sat at his feet ready to be filled.

jesus stood up for injustices.
like when they brought the adulteress woman to him. the law was to stone. jesus saw more. he saw the culture that created this lifestyle. he saw the limitations on women. he recognized the crappy hand she had been delt. he gave her value. in my minds eye jesus said "hey you are loved. you are beautiful. and you can be more than this. follow me." he went against the grain. did the unexpected. he did it backwards.

jesus met needs.
he healed the sick.
he provided drink to the thirsty. food to the hungry.
he encouraged.
he made others feel valued.
he was patient.
he forgave. and forgave some more.

so i will follow jesus. not because i fear hell or long for heaven. but because he lived an amazing life that, if mimicked, will lead to life abundant.

[a-bun-dant] :: present in great quantity; more than adequate; oversufficient.

your thoughts?