Life more abundant

John 10:10

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (MSG version)

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)

Oh friends.  Let me just say that this has been a tough season.  I'm not whining. Okay maybe I am. Just a little.  ;)

Jesus said in the same text that the enemy comes to destroy.  Not only to steal. Not only to kill. But to steal - kill - and destroy.  He does NOT want us to have life. And he definitely doesn't want us to have life better than our dreams, life more abundant.  

So many are hurting, going through terrible things, suffering.  We are not alone in our pain. But we MUST remember - he has come for the purpose of giving us life with Him - and that means life more abundant.  

If you do not feel that you are living an abundant life- I encourage you to find Him again. Take some time for yourself. In your car, in your room, in your closet, it doesn't matter.  Open His word and ask Him to speak to you.  He has life beyond our best dreams for ourselves.  We just need to hand all of the pieces over to Him.  

Don't settle for 9-5, routine, mundane life....for figuring out things on your own.  Don't settle for pill popping just to get through another day.  Don't settle for numbing from tough things.  Don't settle for letting it be this way. 

Go to the well - to the life giver - and let Him refill you and refuel you.  
I'll meet you there :) 

Don't settle. <3 

Much love,
Christa 

Smile.

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying? 

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying? 

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

(Smile lyrics, Nat King Cole) 

Something I have heard a lot lately is, "you always smile." 

I have tried to make sense of my season. I have tried to still be myself through the tough times. When I felt like staying in bed, I made myself get up and get dressed. There were times the cancer and meds crippled me and I was in tears, unable to go places and events. Missing my kids activities and breaking my heart. 

Smiling is a choice. Joy is a choice. Love is a choice. 

I have put on a happy face and smiled through the tears. Put a scarf or hat on my bald head and a bit of makeup on my pale face. Because what is the alternative? To stay in bed? To give in to the oppression? To let the darkness into my heart? 

No. 

We must choose love and light, choose it every day. Every moment. 

Not because we feel like it. Joy is not a feeling. 

Because He chose us. 

When we didn't choose Him. 

So I choose joy. When I don't feel it. When I'm hurting. Because it's all in our mind. That's where the battlefield is. 

I'm no hero. I have no supernatural abilities apart from Jesus. I simply try to be what He wants. I stumble every day and am thankful for grace and mercy. 

And I choose joy. I choose to smile. 

 "Be surprised by joy, be surprised by the little flower that shows its beauty in the midst of a barren desert." Henri Nouwen 

-Christa