“I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud.
And I don’t want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes.
I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now.
I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my every day to make God belly laugh, glad that He gave life to someone who loves the gift.”
― Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life
I love this quote. This is the goal of how I want to live my life every day. Think about it for just a minute… You love your kids. You would give anything in your power to make them happy, wouldn’t you? If you have ever heard or learned anything about the love of God then you know how much greater and more pure is His love for us as His children. God has already given you everything you need for you to enjoy the life He designed just for you. Stop and fully appreciate all the moments of your life, even ones you think aren’t noteworthy.
One of my favorite moments is before naptime. I know you’re thinking, “Wow she really stepped outside of the box on that one. Who doesn’t love a nap?” I’m not actually talking about the nap and getting to catch up on much needed sleep. I’m talking about the minutes before the nap.
You know what I’m talking about. When you found a moment to stop and sit down, breathe a sigh, and veg out for a minute. You zone out. The temperature in the room is perfect. That slightly cool feeling that makes you want to wrap up in a light blanket, like the one on the end of the couch beside you. The afternoon sky is a touch overcast out the window so the light is subdued with the blinds closed. The white noise of the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer occupy your mind and every conscious thought starts to fade away. All of a sudden your eyes start to feel heavy and your body reaches this state of zen relaxation that can’t be described, only felt. There is something to be said for that state of peace and utter surrender.
For those brief moments you give up control and enjoy the moment. There are others just as enjoyable…. a fresh cup of your favorite coffee, your favorite flower, random cuddle time with your kids, camping under the summer night sky listening to the pulse of nature, that feeling when your favorite worship song comes on the radio and you realize you got home safely and don’t remember the drive, playing in the rain, dressing at Thanksgiving dinner…
Stop and remember our Creator imagined this moment just for you. Drink it in. Enjoy it. Let Him know that His sacrifice was worth it!
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