Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day on this glorious Friday morning in my Sweet Home Alabama!
Last week, my Beautiful Bride, Kathy, and I had a 4-day getaway to the beach. Highly recommend these intentional getaways for all married couples – they are so important. As we were driving down to the beach, we listened to a Jon Gordon podcast. His guest was Kristin Johnson, who recently wrote the book I'm Available: How to Live and Receive Your Unique Purpose. The concept is that, in addition to thanking God for each day we are given, we also let Him know that we are available to be used by Him every day, however He wants to use us to serve others for His glory. I can’t remember Jon’s exact question at the end; however, Kristin responded, “This is a decision that has to be made every day.” We can’t just say, “I’m available” once and have that cover us for the rest of our lives. We must live intentionally!
I have shared it before; however, I must share it again:
“Nothing is easier than saying words; nothing is harder than living them day after day. What you decide today and commit to today, you must redecide and recommit to tomorrow, and each day that stretches out before you.” – Arthur Gordon
The first time I read that quote, it struck me in a deeply profound way. It has become a life mantra for me. Please pause for a moment to consider the deep truth of the statement and how it applies to all aspects of our lives. Faith, family, career, etc.- every day we make decisions, and we live with the consequences, whether we like it or not. The decisions we consistently make and the things we consistently do determine the quality of life we will live and the relationships we will have.
Last night Kathy and I were watching a Christmas movie on Great American Family – don’t judge! I have been watching Christmas movies since August! In the movie, they said, “Every day is a gift, but you have to open it.” How many of us don’t open up the gift of today? That is not living; that is simply being alive. We fall far short of all we were created to become when we live life that way. This day is not the “same old, same old.” It is a glorious new day full of hope, opportunity, and promise; however, we have to intentionally show up and choose to live it fully! We have to unwrap it!
So, friends, that is my challenge, prayer, and hope for each one of us: that we would open the gift of today and live it fully. Remember, it is so easy to say the words; it is very hard to live them every day. And you must redecide and recommit until the day you take your last breath.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
“The glory of God is man fully alive.” – St. Irenaeus
“It’s easy to confuse a lot of activity with a purposeful life.” – Bob Goff
“The goal is to live a full, productive life even with all the ambiguity. No matter what happens, whether the cancer never flares up again or whether you die, the important thing is that the days that you have had you will have lived.” – Gilda Radner
Please feel free to contact me at any time if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend. Please cherish your precious family, be kind, and stay well!
Kev
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