Now, honestly, did the title scare you a little? :) (It probably should have.)

Anyhow, this post is about those things that have taken up space in my mind in 2020.

You have to show up.

Running on automatic will take you through the day, but if you want to have meaningful relationships and chase fun dreams, you have to be present, intentionally engage with others, and actually follow through on plans.

There are days when all I do is work through my chores and hide out from the noise. I get to check a few things off my to-do list, but it’s hardly meaningful.

Then there are days when I make time for a wiggly little boy (who eats all my apples), a DIL who could use a little help, or a hubby that wants to strike off on an adventure (and he wants me to come too!). I’m trying to get past the “you’re interrupting my day” and make them an important part of my day because at the end of the day they are the true wealth in my life.

I’ll be the first to own that making room for others and being self-disciplined enough to chase a dream … well, they are just hard work. Running on automatic is far easier.

So each day becomes a choice. Do I show up? Do I make room for the people God has put in my life? Do I take the next step to make that dream happen?

The good stuff doesn’t just happen. You have to make room for it and sometimes even chase it.

Most of the problems in my life are me.

I’m not saying that others don’t do hurtful things or that life can’t take a hard turn (pretty much all of 2020). What I’m saying is that much of the angst in my life is a reflection of my own heart and mind. When I worry, am I really trusting God? When I’m angry, have I really been slighted or am I just miffed I didn’t get my way? And deeper issues … When I’m mad at my husband is he really being a booger or am I seeing him through the filter of my own personal wounds?

I’m serious about growing up and dealing with my own stuff. I’ll leave others for God to fix (He’s better at it anyhow).

God loves the little things

Snowflakes and bunny whiskers. Tiny fingers wrapped around mine. The smell of cookies baking and a kiss on the nose. There is so much beauty and love to be found in the little things.

If you will keep your eyes open you will see them everywhere and know that you are truly loved by Him and others.

(On the flip side, doing small things for others does an immense amount of good because you are joining God in loving with the little things.)

Eternity is the real deal. Life here is just a moment.

I’ve spent most of my life holding onto life and fearing death. My head knew that Jesus made a way for me to spend eternity with Him, but I was still holding pretty tightly to life here.

Over the last few years, I’ve lost my dad, mom, sister, and a handful of friends. I’m aging and the people I love are aging.

You can see where this is going. Death is a hard reality in my life right now. I’ll be saying goodbye to more and more loved ones. Though I will likely have twenty or thirty more years, I can’t ignore the reality that this life ends and I’ll move to another address too.

It’s hard letting go of the people I love, even though it’s a temporary thing. It’s hard for me to face letting go of my life here, even though I know it will be waaaay better in a world where you can hang with Jesus face to face.

Anyhoo, to help me make the adjustment, I now have a list of things I want to do when I get to heaven (build a geodesic dome, raise bees, and explore Jupiter are on the list). You are welcome to join me. I hope to see you there. :)

What will we do in the life to come? Everything you were born to do. Everything you’ve always wanted to do. Everything the kingdom needs you to do. John Eldredge

• Prayer Prompt: Invite God to sit and talk.
• 1-Minute Bible Love Notes: Stepping up to the Plate How can we use today’s challenges for His purposes.
• Come Home for Comfort 3 Things To Do After Christmas Make next year a little easier.

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