As a 2-time cancer survivor, I look at life with tangible knowledge that life could end at any given moment. None of us know how long we have here on this earth. This legacy series to my 3 girls…my lovelies… is my way of attempting to leave a legacy for them. To speak of what is most important for them to know from me, their forever Mom.
Hello Lovlies,
It is June 2013 and you are all three home for the summer. I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed having you all home. Honestly, in past summers I had to adjust to a house full, but not this summer. This summer I am reveling in the moments, and I love watching all three of you just be who you are throughout the day. I am so proud to be your Mom…and so thankful for you.
I wanted to share with you how I have discovered how to live this verse.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I remember reading this verse when I was younger and thinking…how? HOW IN THE WORLD does one rejoice evermore, pray always, & give thanks for everything?
But I have learned.
I have learned that rejoice evermore is so not a fake smile and a pretending to be happy at all times. It is a deep joy, that even in life’s hardest moments we have hope of heaven & the knowledge that God loves us, more than we can even fathom.
I have learned how to pray without ceasing. It is just an ongoing conversation, a relationship with God and an acknowledgement of Him in your day. You don’t always have to be on your hands and knees, although there are times for that. Most of the time it is just heart whispers between me and my Creator. Sometimes just one word. Like, “Help.” If you are in relationship with someone, you are aware of their presence. Become aware that He is with you always, ready to listen, totally understands it all, and loves you, loves you, loves you.
I have learned what it looks like to give thanks for everything. Does that mean I do it all the time? No. But I get what it means and have experienced the freedom and peace that it brings, which is so very beautiful. I get why God tells us to do this. And…I believe it is the key to living this entire verse.
I read Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, and it changed me. She encourages you to count gifts throughout your day. From the big–like health & home; to the seemingly small–like a smile from a stranger. She asks you to start making a list. I did just that on this blog in my One Thousand Gifts series, and even made it to 1,000.
Here is what I learned:
~When you start to list gifts, your eyes are opened to the many, many gifts you would have missed otherwise. I found myself rejoicing in awe at a seed that becomes a plant, or the specks of green in your eyes that match mine, or a curl resting on your cheek. Noticing the things I usually would not notice brought great joy. This is how I am learning to “rejoice evermore.”
~When you list gifts, it starts to become part of your thinking, and you find yourself giving thanks in everything, even the hard moments. You remember how God was faithful in previous hard moments, as you looked for what to be thankful for within them. You know He is faithful and will do it again. He shows us the most precious parts of Himself and our need for Him in those hard moments. Without them, we would not need Him. This is how to be thankful for the hard. This is how to “give thanks in everything.”
~When you list the gifts, you form a heart of thanksgiving, and when you are offering up thanksgiving, you are praying. This is often how I find myself “praying without ceasing.”
………
It is not always easy to have a thankful heart, God understands that. But strive for one. I can’t tell you how much this has helped me in life, and I know it will help you too.
I Love You Mor’n,
Mom
