Do you have a bucket list? Working on completing it? Or do you just put thoughts like that out of your mind as soon as they come up?
My family says I think about death too much for their comfort. "You're so young" says my husband. "Why would you be planning your own funeral?" With the follow-up back at me, "Why are you always planning mine?" The planner in me just can't help myself, and when your job includes leading such you think about it more than most.
To this, enter this week's word: aware.
Aware defined as showing realization, perception or knowledge.
Several years ago, a friend gave me a playlist with the song "Life Means so Much" by Chris Rice. You can listen to it here. Here are some of my favorite lyrics:
Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest, or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under
Teach us to make the days count, Lead us in better ways, That somehow our souls forgot, Life means so much.
What I most appreciate about this song is that it calls me to be present in the moment.
Each breath of ours is a gift. Each moment we can share with a loved one is a treasure. Each opportunity we have to serve-- when the Spirit nudges us saying, "Go. Do. Connect" is why we are alive.
But living with this daily awareness, I know is SO HARD. It can feel too serious!
It's easier to go through the motions of the daily grind.
We're out of milk. The clothes are piling up. I need respond to that email.
Maybe you can relate. The hamster wheel is always calling. But I do think, as people on a faith journey, God calls us to more.
Awareness is our ticket to freedom. Awareness is also our ticket to joy. And it's our ticket to purpose-driven living with whatever moments of life God gives us.
So, stop right now and voice a prayer of thanksgiving for your life. You are here! Then, keep this awareness close to your heart this week.
Your life is a gift. Hear me say that to your heart today. YOUR LIFE is SUCH A GIFT! I am so glad to know you. (Thanks again for allowing me in your inbox on Sunday mornings!)
XO
Elizabeth
