Words to Live By

The Precious Present

By Spencer Johnson

This book was powerful in my life when I was young. It teaches us that in our search for the answer, the perfect gift, we walk right past. The present, the here and now are the gift. Yet our focus is beyond the present so much so that we miss it. This message has stuck with me throughout my life. When there were seasons more painful to walk through I would realize I could be present and find the small positives rather than trying to fast forward through them. The movie Click seemed to be right out of the pages of this book. Proving that even if we had the power to click forward we would be missing so much.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

By Harold Kushner

This book was powerful in my life through my season of infertility and failed adoption. His teaching me that God is there to walk beside me through life not to protect me or inflict me with pain in my life was huge. I needed his words to prevent me from having anger toward God for my circumstances. This allowed me to embrace God through all the storms of life. What an incredible gift his words are in my life. 

The best way out is always through.

By Robert Frost

This is not a book but a quote that I trust in completely. Life has bumps, potholes, massive crevasses that is true for all of us. But we have to walk through them to get to the smooth path on the other side. I had this framed in my kitchen throughout my children’s lives. Oh how I wish my Ryan and so many others would know that life has ups and downs and we need to walk through them not end it in the middle of the road. When I put this quote up it was to celebrate my four God given kids. Through adoption I received my heart’s desire. To arrive there I had to go through infertility and heartache. Letting go of my thought that I wasn’t going to have ‘my own’ kids. By going on this walk I realized God had ‘my very own’ kids and I was blessed enough that He put their loving, selfless, birthmom’s hearts in touch with mine. 

To know Him and to make Him known.

This is my life statement. Not that I run around preaching to others but that I live my life in relationship with Jesus. By my living life not religiously but relationally I hope to be more like Him. His love is always with me and He stays only a whisper away. Through my life I hope to make Him known so everyone I meet never have to walk through life alone. I cringe when someone calls me religious. That contours up images of judgemental people trying to follow the rules to be saved. For me it is a relationship with my best friend, savior and father. How could I not want others to share this faith? 

Each of us have quotes, books, conversations and even movies that have impacted our journey through life. I just wanted to share a few of mine. Please share any you have with me. I am always seeking more wisdom and insight to apply to my life. 

In Him,

Joyful

1-28-19