Life is not just for living

Today: Ecclesiastes 9-12

Awhile ago, I came to the realization that, "Life is not just for living--it's here for us to love." You'll find that line in my blogs' "About Me" sections because it's something I really take to heart and I think it has several meanings, one of which we read about in today's passage. Take a look:

Seize life!

Eat bread with gusto,

Drink wine with a robust heart.

Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure!

Dress festively every morning.

Don't skimp on colors and scarves.

Relish life with the spouse you love

Each and every day of your precarious life.

Each day is God's gift.

Life itself is a gift meant to be loved and cherished. I love just being with my family, playing catch with my crazy dog Harley, tasting the first few bites a really great molten lava chocolate cake, laughing like crazy with my friends, and wearing colored high heels that are completely impractical...just because I think they're beautiful.

The second meaning of my self-coined saying? We're not here on this planet just to live life for ourselves--we're here to love God and to love people. God's the One who gives us the gift of this life and eternal life. People make life on this Earth absolutely a pain at times, but also they make it meaningful. Life is nothing without love and love is nothing without some life. It's a beautiful thing. :)

Tomorrow: Song of Solomon 1-8

Crazy promises, lies and laughter

Today: Genesis 16-18

"The truth always comes out."

I can remember my parents saying this all throughout my growing up years (mainly to prevent my sisters and I from lying during our childhood--it was their equivalent of "We know and see everything."). :)

They were right. Time and time again I've seen that sooner or later, the truth comes out (and if not on this planet, I think it will come out in eternity). I think sometimes the worst lies are those we tell ourselves...or try to tell God Himself. Today's passage illustrated those principles.

Abraham and Sarah welcomed several visitors to their home--special visitors who were really God's messengers (maybe angels). Here's what happened:

One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year.

When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son."

Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old.

Sarah was far past the age for having babies.

Sarah laughed within herself, "An old woman like me?

Get pregnant?

With this old man of a husband?"
God said to Abraham,

"Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me? Have a baby?

An old woman like me?'

Is anything too hard for God?

I'll be back about this time next year

and Sarah will have a baby."
Sarah lied.

She said, "I didn't laugh," because she was afraid.
But he said, "Yes you did; you laughed."

First off, I'll admit that God's promises to Sarah were...a little crazy. But aren't those the best kind of promises from God?

Sarah seriously doubted, laughed then lied to herself and to God--because of fear. And God called her out...because He knew (duh!). The cool thing is that despite her laughter and lying, God still made His crazy promises come true for Sarah...because my Mom and Dad were right...and the truth always comes out.