Today, my heart is heavy. I feel like lots of nitty gritty life is happening around me. As all of this big stuff swirls suffocatingly through my heart, I keep hearing this verse, over and over in my head:
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
Yet, that verse is puzzling me today...as I'm...
Aching over some terrible news from a dear friend
Not understanding what is going on with a family member
Feeling like I can never accomplish enough at home
Hurting over awful news of an old friend
Trying to get a budget in place, yet new expenses keep popping up
Worrying about job security
I'm sure you have a list similar to mine. Stuff that just keeps happening around us-- JUNK that we'd rather not have to face.
I want to have hope. I want to have faith. I want to believe that verse,
"I came that they may have LIFE and have it ABUNDANTLY." (emphasis mine)
I just looked up these words that I can't seem to shake today. Ah. Now I understand. Look at the words at the beginning of John 10:10. It makes more sense with both halves of the verse together.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
Stupid thief. He is the reason behind every stinking thing on my list. He is trying to steal my abundant life.
And I'm sure he's trying to steal yours, too.
I don't know about you, but I really want to cling to the second half of that verse. I want to cling to the "I came" part. Wow. When I think about that verse with both halves together--I feel comforted that God knew we'd all have heavy lists like mine today. He knew the stupid thief would be stealing from me at every turn. He sent Jesus, so that I could cling to Him not only for life--but abundant life.
I don't understand that mystery--how all of that works. But, for today, I am choosing to believe the second half of John 10:10. I'm putting my faith there, even though I don't understand how we can have abundant life beneath the weight of the JUNK.
Another small way I am clinging to those words is by starting a Thankful List, or as Ann Voskamp in her book One Thousand Gifts calls it, her 1,000 Gifts of Thanks. Her book and her website are about these same kinds of thoughts I'm having today. As Ann was walking through some especially dark times, she decided to start a list of everyday things she is grateful for. Everyday things she finds lovely, gifts from her Heavenly Father, get written down. Ann says that the act of being thankful--slowing down and appreciating small moments--is what has not only carried her through the dark times, but has enriched her life in ways she could not have imagined.
Sit back for a moment, and listen to some of Ann's quiet words she shares in her book:
Thanksgiving creates abundance; and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks--take the just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks--and He miraculously makes it more than enough....
...When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world? For us? The clouds open when we mouth thanks.
Maybe, just maybe--like Ann's--my Thankful List will outweigh my heavy-heart list. Maybe in my small act of slowing down and being grateful, I will find a more peaceful life. An abundant life.
That's what I'm holding on to today. And I'm starting right now:
1.) A daddy voice and a daughter voice whispering prayers at bedtime.
What kind of list is on your heart today?
Today, I am linking up with Ann's A Holy Experience as well as the She Speaks Conference website. Ann is teaming up with She Speaks to award a scholarship to the She Speaks Conference this summer. She Speaks is all about connecting the hearts of women to the heart of Father God. Please check out both sites to see how you might join in!
