So I know Jenna wrote about this on her blog... but I also listened to that sermon about joy, and the things that steal our joy in our lives. And yes, the list of stuff from the monk in Nebraska (who knew they had monks in NE?) stuck out to me as well.
In his list he said stuff like, "If I could do life over, I would..." and then finished it with stuff like eating more ice cream and less beans, or relishing in God's beautiful creation more...
this is my list
If I could live my life over:
I would spend more time investing in my little siblings and less time avoiding them.
I would love people more without worrying what they would think.
I would talk to and reach out to people more.
I would watch less movies and spend more time outside.
I would commit more to practice things that I could be good at.
I would learn a language and an instrument or two or three...
I would be more artistic, more domestic, more literary, and more athletic.
I would laugh more, cry more, and let myself dream routinely.
I would be content.
I would give more stuff away and make do with less.
I would eat less sweets and more rice and beans.
I would take more chances to do crazy things.
I would learn to swim and conquer my fear of heights.
I would randomly dance more, and I would learn how to really dance.
I wouldn't ever drink, kiss anyone, get a dog, or talk back to my parents, even when they are wrong.
I would take more responsibility for my actions and not justify myself all the time.
I would spend more time in the Word, and less time online.
I would learn more worship/scripture songs, and less hip-hop.
I would respect my parents more, listen to them closer, and love them better.
I would encourage people more; and not be so dang selfish.
I would be a sunday school volunteer more often and sit through boring classes less.
I would take more sermon notes, more class notes, and fill more prayer journals.
I would use more brilliant colors, wear more dresses, curl my hair, and rock the heels when given the chance.
I would give more hugs, dry more tears, and hold more hands.
I would find a place to serve more.
I would live in a ramshackle house a stones throw from hell.
I would enjoy solitude and delight in company.
... and that's just the start. Its kinda good to look at a list like this as I start into my new year. I think it helps prioritize the things that I want my life to be about, and what I want to change about the way that I currently live. With God's help, I'm gonna try to live every day, so I don't have to think about how I could have done it better if I could do it over.
4 comments:
What about worship hip/hop??? HA!
Yeh, that's right! Live a stones throw away from hell and own it by the power of Jesus! JESUS! And go knock on it's door while you're at it! Every stinkin day! You go, girl!! You show evil what's up when the Kindom of God resides next door!
I love this.
David - i was certainly not discounting the truly amazing power of christian rap music. cause you know how i roll. i was decrying my ability to sing along with secular hip-hop lyrics that have skewed morals.
Jenna - haha... okay so that line was actually borrowed from a certain preacher (C.T. Studd) who said "Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell."
:)
Post a Comment