It’s easy to get caught up in it all.

The motions of life that propel us from one situation and activity to the next.

The responsibilities that demand our attention and the crises that threaten to divert us from our goals.

As I continually consider the weight of the path God has me on, I find I want to be more present in the in between.

The conversations. The intimate moments in worship. The deep belly laughter. The first bite of a chocolate chip cookie. The everyday triumphs. 

I want to be more present for it all. 

Because all of life is just that – one in between after another with fleeting highs and temporary lows every so often.

The belief that life can only be lived in a mad frenzy is a lie. One that convinces us that we have to be hamsters running haplessly on a wheel that gives the illusion of progress but never really gets us anywhere.

We may not have much control over what goes on around us but we do have a choice on how we live on the inside. 

I want to wring out every ounce of joy that each day brings my way. 

So as the world continues on in its crazy frenzy, I slow down.

I take my time to savour moments. 

I linger more in His presence. 

I fill my gratitude journal with things I’m thankful for each day.

I go after things that make me giggle. 

I hold tightly to the ones I love. 

It would be a tragedy if we spent all our days helping others better their lives at the expense of truly living our own. 

Our love and service to others matters. 

But so does our love and service to ourselves.

Love yourself well.  

Love your life well. 

In the overflow of that abundance, will your life testify of the goodness of God for all to see and know.